lunch program

New Brunswick’s Department of Education says four more schools have been added to the list of those facing delays in the rollout of the province’s school lunch program.

According to other media reports, Education Minister Claire Johnson told reporters last week that the province’s school lunch program would be delayed at some schools. At the time, she did not identify the affected schools but said a complete list would be provided.

Over the weekend, the department released a list showing that 56 schools would experience delays. However, department spokesperson Sean McConnell said in an email to Acadia Broadcasting on Tuesday that the number has since increased to 60.

McConnell said that number represents about 20 per cent of the total schools in the province, with the remaining 177 schools launching the program successfully on the first days of classes.

The department’s updated list shows the Anglophone South School District has been hit hardest by the delays, with more than half of the affected schools located in the district.

Schools in the Anglophone North, Anglophone West, Francophone South and Francophone Northwest districts are also on the list.

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McConnell said parents at affected schools have been notified and temporary measures are being put in place to ensure students have access to lunch during the first few days of classes. He added that many of the delayed schools are expected to have the program up and running by next week.

Johnson said last week that most of the delays stem from kitchen renovations required to support the program.

McConnell added that some schools also faced “unique solutions,” including last-minute equipment and inspection issues.

“Staff at the district and department level have been working with providers to address any challenges as they arise and ensure students are fed, supported and ready to learn,” he said. “Lunch will be provided to students in need.”

Acadia Broadcasting contacted the Anglophone South School District for comment, but the district referred questions to the Department of Education.

The department’s full updated list includes:

Anglophone South

• Inglewood
• Grand Bay Primary
• Deer Island
• Grand Manan
• Barnhill Memorial School
• Bayside Middle School
• Bayview School
• Beaconsfield Middle School
• Centennial School
• Champlain Heights School
• Compass Education Support Program-Saint John
• Forest Hills School
• Glen Falls School
• Harry Miller Middle School
• Hazen-White-St. Francis School
• Island View School
• Lakewood Heights School
• Loch Lomond School
• MacDonald Consolidated School
• Millidgeville North School
• Milltown Elementary School
• Prince Charles School
• Princess Elizabeth School
• Rothesay Elementary School
• Rothesay High School
• Rothesay Park School
• Saint John High School
• Saint Rose School
• St. John the Baptist/King Edward School
• St. Stephen High School
• Sussex Regional HS
• St Stephen Middle Sch
• Sussex Elementary School
• St George Elem School
• Harbour View High School
• Simonds High School
• St. Malachy’s Memorial HS
• Blacks Harbour Elementary School
• Hammond River Valley Elementary School

Anglophone North

• Bonar Law
• Nappan
• Miramichi Rural
• Jacquet River
• Campbellton Middle School
• Dalhouise Regional High School
• L.E. Reinsborough School

Anglophone West

• McAdam Elementary
•  McAdam High School
• Summerhill Elementary
• Garden Creek
• Assiniboine Elementary
• Gesner Elementary

Anglophone East

• Edith Cavell School

Francophone South

• École Grande-Digue
• École Dr.Marguerite-Michaud
• Odyssée
• Pere Edgar T Leblanc
• Abbey-Landry
• Camille-Vautour

Francophone Northwest

• Mgr-Matthieu-Mazerolle