New Initiatives in Anglophone East School District Aim for Progress

The Anglophone East School District is preparing for significant changes as classes approach, with a new pilot project and a delayed school lunch program on the agenda. Superintendent Randy MacLEAN has announced that starting this September, 37 anglophone schools—including 11 in his district—will implement two professional development days each month. This initiative, introduced by the province in June, aims to enhance literacy and numeracy scores while addressing chronic absenteeism.

Education Minister Claire Johnson emphasized that the pilot project is designed to directly boost student achievement. “This initiative, this pilot project, is a direct response to improve student achievement. That’s what this is about,” MacLEAN stated. While most feedback so far has been positive, some parents have expressed concerns regarding childcare on the additional days off.

One parent, Amy Brown, who has two children attending Petitcodiac Regional School, highlighted the challenges faced by working families. “I still have bills to pay and teachers do as well. Is there maybe not a week, maybe March Break? Why can’t they pick a couple of those days to do the extra PD days?” she questioned.

School Lunch Program Delayed

The school lunch initiative promised by the New Brunswick Liberals during last fall’s election campaign has been postponed. According to Department of Education spokesperson Diana Chávez, the focus for the upcoming school year will be on expanding the school breakfast program to all public schools in the province.

Chávez stated, “We will take the lessons we learn from this expansion… and apply them to the rollout of the school lunch program in the 2026-27 school year.” The government has allocated $19 million in the 2025-2026 budget to prepare for this program, which includes necessary equipment upgrades. MacLEAN acknowledged the importance of careful planning, saying, “They are taking the time to reflect and ensure that we do it correctly and not swiftly.”

Addressing Overcrowding and Staffing Issues

Overcrowding at Moncton High School remains a pressing issue. Built just over a decade ago, the school was designed for around 1,200 students but has consistently housed approximately 1,600. Currently, 17 portable classrooms are in use, and MacLEAN has pledged not to add more. To alleviate the situation, some students from Dieppe within the Moncton High catchment area are being transported to Riverview High School.

In terms of staffing, the Anglophone East School District currently serves around 20,520 students, a slight increase from the previous year. Last year, over 100 teaching positions were vacant, but as of now, only 17 positions remain unfilled. MacLEAN expressed optimism about the current staffing situation, marking it as “incredibly positive” compared to the previous two years.

These initiatives reflect the district’s commitment to improving education and addressing the needs of students and families in New Brunswick. As the new school year begins, both the pilot project and the delayed lunch program are set to play pivotal roles in shaping the educational landscape. For updates and further developments, the community is encouraged to stay informed through local news sources.