More than 100 people gathered in Browns Flat, N.B., Monday to protest cuts in rural New Brunswick communities.
“Obviously our Browns Flat school, which was the impetus of having this rally, but then we decided to expand it because there are a lot of rural citizens that have concerns,” said local service district advisory committee member Phil Kennedy.
Browns Flat Elementary School is one of the schools the District Education Council voted to close earlier this month. It’s one of many in the province that is on the chopping block.
“I think rural schools are the heart and soul of the community, and this is the only school between Gagetown and Westfield, so I think the community will be in real trouble if it closes,” said retired teacher Ernie Ring.
School closures were not the only thing protesters were talking about Monday.
“Senior citizens, the increased pressure on senior citizens,” said Kennedy. “We’ve also got the fact our Service New Brunswick outlets in rural areas are on the chopping block as well, and being looked at for closure. We’ve got ferries being closed, you know, also the fact local farmers are not being supported by the government in growing their produce.”
Parents, children and retired teachers marched through Browns Flat to the school Monday.
“Rural New Brunswick makes up 48 per cent of the population, so we’re not an insignificant number in terms of the population,” said parent Tracie Kennedy.
New Brunswick’s Education Minister Serge Rousselle has until the end of May to decide whether the Browns Flat school will remain open.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Blackford
