New Brunswick elementary literacy program shuts down suddenly

A program that once helped New Brunswick Grade 2 students learn to read has shut down suddenly and without explanation after apparent financial problems.

A statement provided to CBC confirmed the board of Elementary Literacy Inc. had made “the difficult decision” to end operations after 15 “remarkable” years.

ELI ran a few programs, including Elementary Literacy Friends, or ELF, which saw volunteers tutor Grade 2 students for a couple of hours after school each week. 

Children were given the opportunity to have an ELF tutor if they were falling behind targets for reading ability. 

ELI also ran a similar program called CLEF in the francophone school system and a program called Barton for students with learning disabilities. 

The statement on behalf of board chair Roxanne Fairweather expressed appreciation to volunteers, employees, funders and educators.

“Together we have changed lives and created better futures for many children in our communities and that is to indeed be celebrated,” it said.

The statement was sent to CBC News on March 17 in response to an inquiry. It also said no member of the board was available at the time for further comment. 

Fairweather had the same statement forwarded to CBC 10 days later in response to another request for an interview to discuss things such as the reason for the shutdown, the most recent data on the effectiveness of ELI’s programs and the number of staff, volunteers and students affected by the closure.

Unconfirmed estimates put the number of staff at around 20, volunteers around 300 and students registered in the session that had just begun at around 200.

Millions of taxpayer dollars were put into Elementary Literacy Inc. by the New Brunswick government.

For example, a five-year commitment of $2.25 million was announced in 2017 to help ELI deliver programs in anglophone and francophone schools across the province.

In an emailed statement, Department of Education spokesperson Diana Chavez said funding was not discontinued. 

“Department of Education and Early Childhood Development provided $450,000 to ELF in March 2023,” she said.

However there was no mention of funding for this year and Chavez said the department “is aware” Elementary Literacy Friends “will cease operations due to a board decision.”

The New Brunswick Teachers’ Association declined to comment, saying it only learned of the shutdown from CBC’s inquiry and needed more time to consider the ramifications.

Fundraising campaign

Last year, executive director Julie Smith told CBC that ELF had changed its methods to follow the latest literacy curriculum in schools, called “science of reading.”

A recent campaign on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe suggested ELI was in need of money.

Smith is named as the creator of a fundraiser, dated Feb. 13, titled, “Help ELI continue to help children learn to read.”

The pitch to potential donors said: “Elementary Literacy provides tutors to children in New Brunswick to help them learn to read. COVID has deepened the gaps we see in children and we need you to help as many children catch up as possible. We run quality programs in English and French across the province to help address the learning gaps. Every small donation helps and lets us serve more children. Donations are eligible for a tax receipt.”

The campaign raised $1,800 and is no longer accepting donations. 

Besides Fairweather, the other directors of ELI listed in provincial corporate records are Judith Kathleen Begley of Caraquet, John De Gruyter of Nauwigewauk, James C. Irving of Saint John, Rene Legacy of Bathurst, Thomas Mann of Fredericton, John McLaughlin of Bathurst, Richard, Gérald of Grand Barachois, Shelley Rineheart of Saint John, Lois Scott of Moncton, Camille Thériault of Caraquet, and Marilyn Trenholme Counsell of Sackville.

CBC tried to reach some of the listed directors. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell and Rene Legacy said they haven’t been involved with the organization in several years.

Trenholme Counsell said she was sad to learn about the shutdown during a recent phone call. 

“It was a beautiful program — very focused, very ambitious and successful,” said the former doctor, politician and lieutenant-governor.

During her time on the board, Trenholme Counsell, said ELF was “making a difference.”

She didn’t recall specific data but said, “It was definitely improving reading results in Grades 3 and 4.”

She suggested volunteer fatigue and loss of momentum from a series of changes required since the pandemic were likely factors in the organization’s demise. 

Other possible scenarios

A University of New Brunswick professor with expertise in corporate law provided other possible scenarios.

Janet Austin was asked what in general might lead a non-profit to an abrupt, unexplained shutdown such as this. Sometimes a non-profit has difficulty coping with regulatory requirements, she suggested.

“It might be advisable to [shut down] if, for example, it is incurring debts that it cannot pay,” she said.

One of ELI’s partners has been St. Thomas University. 

“For the past three years, we have facilitated about two internships a year with them [students from the humanities and social sciences, alike], which have all been very positive,” said Ashlen Albright, STU director of communications.

“STU students have also volunteered with the group through their literacy tutoring program.

“The shutting down of a program that helps both young people in the community develop critical skills as well as university students gain meaningful experience in fields of interest to them is certainly disappointing. We will miss the opportunity to work with them.”