The silence feels heavy at George Street Middle School these days. Staffers and parents alike wear concern on their faces following the provincial government’s announcement that will eliminate all community school coordinator positions across New Brunswick.
“It’s honestly insulting,” says Maria Rodriguez, who’s served as community school coordinator at George Street for nine years. “We bridge crucial gaps for vulnerable students every single day.”
The Higgs government revealed last week that 22 community school coordinator positions will be cut province-wide, saving approximately $1.5 million annually. For schools like George Street, where nearly 40 percent of students come from lower-income households, these coordinators have become essential lifelines.
Community school coordinators typically manage breakfast programs, coordinate after-school activities, arrange mental health supports, and connect families with social services. In Fredericton’s diverse downtown core, Rodriguez has been instrumental in helping newcomer families navigate not just education but Canadian life itself.
Parent Council president Jameela Khouri didn’t mince words at Tuesday’s emergency meeting. “My daughter would have fallen through the cracks without Ms. Rodriguez. When we arrived from Syria five years ago, Maria helped us access everything from winter clothing to tutoring services.”
Education Minister Bill Hogan defended the cuts in a statement to Global News, saying the province is “realigning resources toward direct classroom instruction.” Hogan added that principals will absorb coordinator responsibilities, with some support from district staff.
But principals like George Street’s Devon MacPherson question that logic. “I’m already working 60-hour weeks. Adding another full-time job’s responsibilities to my plate means something has to give. And what gives is usually time with students.”
Former Liberal education critic Chuck Chiasson characterized the move as “penny-wise and pound-foolish” in a phone interview. “Community schools exist because regular schools weren’t meeting certain community needs. This cut saves a modest amount while dismantling programs that prevent much more expensive problems down the road.”
The timing has particularly frustrated educators. The announcement came just three weeks before summer break, leaving little opportunity to develop transition plans. Programs like George Street’s popular summer reading initiative now hang in limbo.
A recent Department of Education assessment actually praised the community school model, noting improved attendance rates and decreased behavioral incidents at participating schools. The report, published in November 2023, recommended expanding the program rather than cutting it.
Jessica Taylor, whose son benefits from the breakfast program at Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary, worries about September. “Kyle has ADHD and starts his day with breakfast at school. It gives him structure and nutrition that helps him focus. Who’s going to run that program now?”
According to Statistics Canada data, New Brunswick has the second-highest child poverty rate in the country at 21.7 percent. In certain Fredericton neighborhoods, that figure climbs above 30 percent.
Dr. Alexandra Nason, a child development specialist at the University of New Brunswick, points to extensive research showing the effectiveness of community school models. “When you provide wrap-around services in the school building itself, you eliminate barriers to access. Transportation, stigma, complicated application processes—they all disappear when services come to where children already are.”
The Fredericton Teachers Association plans to hold a demonstration next week at the legislature. Meanwhile, a parent-led petition has gathered over 3,500 signatures in just four days.
Rodriguez spends her afternoons now documenting everything she does, creating binders of contacts and processes for whoever might need to continue her work. “I worry about our Syrian families who still need translation help during parent-teacher meetings. I worry about the teenagers who come to our after-school space because home isn’t safe. Who will notice when they stop showing up?”
The provincial government has suggested that community organizations could step in to fill the gap. But as Rodriguez notes, coordination itself is a full-time job. “It’s not just about finding resources—it’s about knowing which student needs what, maintaining relationships, and following through consistently.”
Back at Tuesday’s meeting, one frustrated parent asked the question on everyone’s mind: “If it’s not broken, why are we fixing it?” No clear answer has emerged from the province beyond budgetary considerations.
For now, the George Street community is rallying. Local businesses have offered to sponsor the breakfast program, and a retired teacher has volunteered to coordinate after-school activities. But Rodriguez worries these stopgap measures won’t sustain the comprehensive support system that took years to build.
“Kids don’t just need academics to succeed,” she says, tidying up the community room that serves as a hub for everything from dental screenings to homework help. “They need to feel safe, fed, and connected. That’s what we provide. Or provided, I should say.”
