Province reshuffles 70 lead positions in anglophone school sector

The province has decided to "re-deploy" 70 lead positions across all four anglophone school districts, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Education.

The changes include the elimination of10 diversity and respect coaches who work inthe education system.They're responsible forcoaching teachers and school teams about how to be more respectful and inclusive of marginalized students.

"Having appropriate resources available and in place is crucial for ensuring student success and addressing classroom composition challenges," said Tara Chislett in an emailed statement to CBC News on Friday.

"This is why the anglophone sector has decided to re-deploy some educators who are currently serving at the district level in various lead positions."

The diversity and respect positions were created by the Liberal government back in 2016 and 2017.

Educators aren't being laid off

The province hasn't said what other positionswill be eliminatedand whether these changes are related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"No educators are being laid off as a result of this change, however some will be changing roles within the system to work more closely with students and staff at the school level," Chislett said.

Students and staff and educators have to feel safe in school.- Gail Costello, co-chair of the Pride in Education Committee

CBC News has asked for an interview with someone with the province and is waiting for a response.

With the current redeployment to schools, Chislett saidthere are still about 150 full-time equivalent subject lead positions within the districts.

The province closed schools March 13 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, andonline learning sessions wereeventually established.

Putting marginalized students at greater risk

Gail Costello is theco-chair of the Pride in Education Committee, a volunteer provincial committee started by teachers worriedabout the well-being and safety ofsexual andgender minority students in New Brunswick.

Costello said the cuts will put marginalized studentsat risk and make it more likely they willbe left behind.

"With everything that's going on in the world and what has been rising up over the past four, five, six years, I question that decision."

Costello said it's not a good look for the province to cut these positions, especially given why they werecreated in the first place.

"What they were saying when they created these positions was that, 'We see the issues, we recognize that there's issues out there in the education system. Andthat we want to address this,'" said Costello.

"What does it say about cutting it? I guess the opposite of all of that."

Costello said she understands why some people may not think the cuts are a big deal, or that money could be better spent in other areas of New Brunswick'seducation system. But she feels these positions are important.

"We have to educate our youth to be good citizens to teach respect and celebrate diversity," she said.

"Students and staff and educators have to feel safe in schools."