Teachers' rep encouraged by minister's potential pivot on budget decision
Peter Lagacy feeling 'positive' about recent comments by education minister
The president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association says he's feeling "positive" about the potential reversal of budget decisions that led to cuts of some educational support staff.
Peter Lagacy said recent comments by Education Minister Claire Johnson suggest she's been listening to how recent budget decisions could negatively affect the school system.
"She certainly seems to be willing to take all information and perhaps go back and readjust them and help look at things," Lagacy said at a news conference Friday.
His comments come amid a swirl of controversy about how the Department of Education is funding the province's seven school districts, which are in charge of school operations like hiring teachers and support staff.
While the department upped the districts' funding by $200 million this fiscal year, directives on how to spend large chunks of the money left the districts with less than they said they needed.
That forced districts to cut dozens of support roles, including school library workers and staff who help children with behavioural problems.
The department also wants to see districts redirect 150 teachers out of administrative roles and back into classrooms — a request that some districts have balked at.
In response to the uproar by the districts, Johnson said Thursday her department was looking at potentially redirecting funds and stretching out some short-term targets over a longer timeline.
"It's all on the table, and we're in discussions right now. We're working with the districts," she said at the time.
Even if the department were to change tack on recent controversial funding decisions, the NBTA wants to see a strategy by the province specifically aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of teachers, Lagacy said.
"I think we've asked for a strategy ... from central government for the past while and I think, you know, that strategy needs to be front and centre of anything moving forward," he said.
Lagacy said the department budgeted $4 million this year specifically for recruitment and retention, however, he said it's unclear exactly what the plan is for that money.
"They set in the budget $4 million, but money alone isn't enough. So we need the action behind that and the strategy."
Lagacy said those issues could be improved through better "flexibility" in teachers' work days, by giving them time dedicated to meeting parents, and having professional development sessions.
"And so, just being able to do your job well takes time and can certainly go a long way in retaining someone."
Lagacy said he'd be in favour of the province piloting an altered school calendar next year that would see two days per month carved out for non-teaching activities.
"I think if there are communities and schools and parents who are supportive of that plan, I don't see why we wouldn't want that going forward."
CBC News was not granted an interview with Johnson, but was provided a statement by email.
In it, she said her department is working with the NBTA on a retention and recruitment strategy for qualified teachers and other education professionals.
She did not provide a date, but said her department looks forward to releasing it "very soon."
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