French-language rights, overcrowding among reasons for new school projects, minister says
Claire Johnson says funds for security, washrooms, ventilation also included in budget
The provincial government announced eight major school projects earlier this week, and Education Minister Claire Johnson said she knows it can be disappointing when someone's school of choice isn't chosen.
The capital budget announced Tuesday includes $193.7 million for education projects. Funds are earmarked for three new schools, a replacement for two primary schools, two midlife upgrades and two additions to existing schools. All are slated to being within the next fiscal year.
Johnson said the way the projects are chosen isn't random. Something called the "quadruple bottom line analysis" tool is used to determine which school project proposals submitted by each district have the greatest need, she said.
The tool looks at several indicators, including overcrowding and the age of the school in question, Johnson said. According to a government news release from 2019, the tool was developed in 2014 and includes 15 indicators divided into four categories: economy, environment, social and cultural.
Polyvalente
Louis-J.-Robichaud will be getting a midlife upgrade, according to the
2025-2026 capital budget. Johnson said projects like this could
indirectly help overcrowding at Moncton schools. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
Two of the projects, the new francophone schools in Sussex and Hampton, were added to ensure minority language education rights are being protected, she said.
That is one of the indicators considered when assessing need, said Johnson.
"In those areas, those predominantly anglophone areas, we noticed that there are actually a lot of French-speaking families in those areas, and what was happening with them is that they were either … opting into going into English schools because it was easier and more accessible, or they were travelling really long distances to get to the nearest French school."
Along with the new schools and additions, Johnson said there are projects that fit into the capital budget such as washroom upgrades, ventilation upgrades and security-standard upgrades.
There is a discrepancy between the security systems for certain schools, she said. For example, some schools have a vestibule — a space between the outdoor and main part of the school — while some do not.
While the Moncton region has seen a surge in enrolment in recent years, the new capital budget doesn't include any projects for the area.
Johnson said sometimes this type of situation requires stepping back and looking at the issue from a broader perspective.
"Sometimes in a neighbouring community, there can be a new school or an addition or something that's built there that will indirectly help with the overcrowding in the Moncton area," she said, referencing the midlife upgrade for Polyvalente Louis-J.-Robichaud in nearby Shediac.
As well, Johnson said the projects need to fall within the financial limits of the department to avoid overpromising.
"We've seen unprecedented population growth here in New Brunswick, and people are choosing to stay here, and they're choosing the public system," Johnson said.
"I like to remind myself that managing growth is a lot more fun than managing decline, so that makes it a little bit easier while we tackle these challenges."
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Ridiculous
David Amos
This is a comedy Correct?
Reply to David Amos
Yea Right
I want zero dollars of my 35 years of taxes going into the ola.
The bilingual experiment showing us time and time again what a failure it is.
David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
Yup
Ralph Skavinsky
Why not have both groups attend school together..AM French PM English..and don't give me that Constitution bs...
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Dream on
Lou Bell
So basically nothing in the budget for the Anglophone Districts in NB ! Anyone surprised ? R$emeber , the story says the Higgs government did virtually nothing in new school construiction during his last term in office , which would mean the Anglophone districts have been neglected once again by the Liberals , just like in their last term in office .
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Lou Bell
Higgs did nothing in school construction?? Me thinks folks might want to recheck that one with the media...Google and ask the question..lol
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Methinks you should ask Google what I have been saying for 20 years N'esy Pas?
Mario Doucet
Trump has a solution when he takes over Canada
Jos Allaire
Reply to Mario Doucet
Trump thinks he has a solution for everything. Just ask him.
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to Mario Doucet
Off Topic !!
David Amos
Reply to Mario Doucet
No doubt about it
Mario Doucet
there's that sound again, tax money being flushed down the language toilet again
David Amos
Reply to
Yup
Greg Miller
I've got a fun idea -- let's all declare ourselves Francophone and bankrupt the Province. Wait a minute -- is it already bankrupt?
Jos Allaire
Reply to Greg Miller
We could join Québec. At least we'll have electricity at a good price as opposed to NB Power who can never seem to get their act together.
Greg Miller
Reply to Jos Allaire
Well we had that opportunity and decided to "go it alone". Now we're very much alone with an "electrical mess".
David Amos
Reply to Jos Allaire
Interesting MOU today eh?
Greg Miller
And the "pendulum" now swings way to the left. New Brunswick never seems to be able to have the pendulum at centre!
David Amos
Reply to Greg Miller
Vote For Indepentants
Matt Steele
Hampton and Sussex are not that far apart ; do they ' both ' need new french schools . Premier Higgs was able to pay down TWO and a HALF BILLION in debt over his 6 years in office , and thereby saving taxpayers 90 MILLION per year in interest payments ; now the Holt government is blowing through that money like water ; and in two years , we will be right back to square one with the provincial debt maxed out , and taxes going sky high . Such a shame .
Chuck Gendron
Reply to Matt Steele
The public never learns, thy just keep doing the same thing over and over.
Geordan Mann
Reply to Chuck Gendron
So what other viable option was there in the past election? You know, an actual political party who are qualified to lead a province? Guide us please.
David Amos
Reply to Chuck Gendron
Plus ca change C'est la meme chose N'esy Pas?
Ronald Miller
More Francophone schools that will be half empty and populated with half empty busses.
David Amos
Reply to Ronald Miller
Par for the course
Ronald Miller
We knew the influence of SANB would happen at some point, I just did not think it would be this obvious or quick. Is it 6 of 8 schools are either in Francophone districts or are Francophone schools including French speaking hotbeds of Sussex and Hampton? While those that speak English predominantly continues to grow and the opposite for French this gov't has put the minority in the drivers seat at a huge cost to the majority. You were warned.
Jos Allaire
Reply to Ronald Miller
The did not want your Higgs. That's democracy, live with it.
David Amos
Reply to Ronald Miller
You know I warned ya Correct?
tim smith
If i do recall correctly the minority ( anglophone or francophone ) residents required in a " given area " to receive certain government services here in New Brunswick in language of choice was a minimum 20%. Correct me if i am wrong on that people. Been to Sussex and Hampton several times and i sure as heck do not believe the french speaking population in these areas is any wheres near 20 % of said population.
Chuck Gendron
Reply to tim smith
That is for municipal services
David Amos
Reply to tim smith
Take it up with the SANB
Bob Smith
Moncton school region got skipped over to placate francophone demands. Optics don't look good on this...
MR Cain
Reply to Bob Smith
Isn't Moncton considered Francophone?
MR Cain
Reply to MR Cain
The district is an Anglophone district operating 38 public schools from grades Kindergarten to 12 in Albert and Westmorland counties.
Robin Ellison
Reply to MR Cain
Not entirely. Not yet.
David Amos
Reply to Robin Ellison
True
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