New Brunswick Anglophone District Education Councils 2019 Annual Report The New Brunswick Anglophone District Education Councils are once again pleased to have benefitted from our membership with the CSBA. The Information sharing and advocacy work helps keep our province in the loop and at the table for national conversations about education and advocacy for local governance. Our 2018 provincial election resulted in the province’s first minority government since 1920 with the Liberals forming the minority government from late September until defeated in a non-confidence vote in November. At this point, the Progressive Conservative party formed a minority government and a new Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development was appointed. The political uncertainty in the fall resulted in a number of policy delays and postponed collaboration with the Department. Following Min. Cardy’s appointment the Chairs met to share priorities and express support for the bi- partisan 10-year Education Plan implemented by the previous government. We have since continued to work to address issues such as NB’s Nutrition Policy, a more robust provincial policy supporting LGBTQ2SI+ students and staff in schools, student mental health, co-governance and collaborative planning processes to improve coordination between Districts and Department. Many of the concerns raised by Councils were identified by the Office of the Auditor General as part of their program review. EECD and the DECs had already begun work to increase collaboration and accountability in several areas. For example, the Auditor General recommended a closer working relationship between the Anglophone and Francophone Sectors. In January, the Chairs of the 7 Francophone and Anglophone District Education Councils (DEC) held a joint meeting with the Minister. The purpose of the meeting was to inform Minister Cardy of the Councils’ shared priorities and pressures with regards to infrastructure and operating budgets. The Councils identified the following broad topics for discussion: - Councils insist locally elected Councils should be an integral part of the discussion around budget priorities. Spending decisions should be made at the local level; - The Chairs will restate the necessity of having the Minister collaborate and consult with elected officials on all issues affecting the advancement of education;