The New Brunswick government plans to close schools with fewer than 100 students to cut costs in the upcoming provincial budget. A budget preparation document titled “Difficult Decisions” outlines this strategy, placing 33 schools across the province on the chopping block.

According to a recent report by CBC News, this list includes 23 anglophone and 10 francophone schools. The Anglophone South district, which includes the Saint John region, has six schools falling under this threshold. Other affected districts include Anglophone North with seven, Anglophone West with seven, and Anglophone East with three.

Community Leaders Push Back

Educators and parents strongly oppose the proposed closures. Anglophone East Superintendent Randy MacLean views education as the ultimate solution for economic and social stability. He states that education directly impacts the economy, health care, and the criminal justice system.

Parents echo these concerns. Holly Sleeper lives in Havelock and sends her children to the local Kindergarten to Grade 5 school. The school currently serves about 60 students. She calls the school the heart of her community. Sleeper argues that consolidating students into larger facilities creates setbacks for children rather than solving financial problems. She launched an online petition to save the school, gathering over 1,600 signatures.

Logistics and Existing Policies

Closing a school requires specific steps outlined in Policy 409. This policy triggers a sustainability study when a school drops below 100 students or falls under 30 percent capacity. However, the Department of Education lacks the power to close a school unilaterally. The district education council must recommend the closure after completing the study.

Progressive Conservative MLA Don Monahan questions the financial logic of the closures. He points out that receiving schools, such as the one in Petitcodiac, lack the capacity to absorb new students. Adding mobile units and expanding busing routes creates new infrastructure costs, negating any potential savings.

Education Minister Claire Johnson confirms the government will follow Policy 409 guidelines after tabling the budget on March 17.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools face potential closure in New Brunswick?

The provincial government identified 33 schools with fewer than 100 students for potential closure. This includes 23 anglophone and 10 francophone schools.

Why does the government want to close these schools?

The government listed school closures in a budget preparation document titled “Difficult Decisions” as a strategy to cut costs for the upcoming fiscal year.

Can the Department of Education close a school immediately?

No. Under Policy 409, the district education council must conduct a sustainability study and officially recommend the closure before the Department of Education takes action.

When will the government announce the official budget?

The provincial government will table the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year budget in the legislature on March 17.