Welcome
New Brunswick’s District Education Councils (DECs) are committed to guiding and moving forward the education of all students.
This site is currently under construction and will soon provide more information on the role and responsibilities of DEC and how you can get involved. In the meantime, we have provided some basic information and links to your local school district where you can learn more about the DEC members and meetings in your area.
What is DEC?
District Education Councils were first established in 2001 to provide local governance and community input in the education system. The Education Act provides for 11 to 13 elected education councillors for each of the 9 Anglophone and 5 Francophone school districts.
DECs operate using a policy governance model, which means they set and monitor the policies and objectives to be carried out by the district staff and local schools. The DEC operates under the policies and standards of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. DECs develop objectives and policies to address the particular priorities and needs of its district. DEC members are not involved in day-to-day operations and do not deal with issues pertaining to individual students.
Roles and Responsibilities
DECs focus on education issues, develop policies which detail the district goals and expectations and monitor the results. Each DEC is responsible for:
- hiring and evaluating the district superintendent;
- developing and adopting policies;
- establishing and monitoring the annual district plan and public district performance report;
- establishing and monitoring the district expenditure plan;
- monitoring student achievement;
- building community partnerships;
- setting priorities for infrastructure planning projects including capital construction, school establishment and closures;
- review of the school improvement plan and the school performance report for each school in the district to ensure they are consistent with the district education plan.
All DEC members are encouraged to contribute to discussion and debate but the DEC governs as a single body. The elected Chair of the DEC acts as a representative of the district when working collaboratively with other districts and in meeting and consulting with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
DEC members are encouraged to become involved in committees, stakeholder consultations and professional development opportunities and the local and provincial level.
Getting Involved
DEC elections are held every four years in conjunction with the municipal elections. The next election is scheduled for May 2012. In addition, the Minister will appoint First Nations representatives in Districts 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Each Council also has a student representative elected by students in the district for a 1 year term.
For more information about election dates and the nomination process, contact the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer by calling 1-800-308-2922 or visit their website at www.gnb.ca/elections .
DEC in Your District
To learn more about the DEC members, Parent Student Support Committees and meetings in your area, visit your district website: