June 17, 1998
(Education)

Minister of Education announces additional funding for repairs and maintenance

The Minister of Education, Roger Grimes has announced that government will be allocating $3 million to school boards throughout the province to supplement funds that school boards will spend on repairs and maintenance to school buildings this summer. This will complement approximately $1.3 million that the school boards had already planned to spend from their own budgets.

Mr. Grimes indicated that school boards were asked to identify those schools in their districts which are in greatest need of repair. Mr. Grimes said: "We asked school boards to tell us which schools were on their priority list and how much work the board intended to do in these schools over the summer. In most cases, boards advised us that they were unable to perform all the work that needs to be done this summer from their own resources. I am pleased to announce that government is able to provide additional funds to extend the work that had already been planned by school boards. This will enable the boards to complete work this summer that would otherwise not have been completed until next year."

The minister provided the following examples:

• the school board for District #2 told us that it intended to spend $42,000 to perform some of the repairs needed at A.C. Palmer school in Roddickton. We have provided the board with an additional $55,000. Therefore, a total of $97,000 will be spent in this school over the next couple of months to complete repairs identified by the board.

• Similarly, the school board for District #3 planned to spend $9,330 on repairs and maintenance to G.C. Rowe Junior High School in Corner Brook. We have given the board an additional $36,000.

• The school board for District #6 had allocated $5000 for repairs and maintenance to J. M. Olds Collegiate at Twillingate. We have given the board an additional $30,700.

• Sacred Heart Primary at Marystown was expected to receive $10,000 for repairs. Government has allocated an additional $35,500.

• Balbo Elementary School at Shoal Harbour had been identified by the school board to receive $5,500 worth of repairs over the summer. Government has allocated an additional $41,500.

• Davis Elementary in Carbonear had been identified by the school board to receive $10,000 worth of repairs over the summer. Government has allocated an additional $83,000 for a total of $93,000.

• The school board for District #10 had committed $100,500 to repairs and maintenance at Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John's. Government has provided an additional $71,000.

Mr. Grimes indicated that the additional money will be used by school boards to effect general repairs such as painting of classrooms; exterior painting; repairs to floors, siding, entrances, walkways, heating systems, and washrooms; the construction and repairs to playgrounds, and general refurbishing of school buildings.

Mr. Grimes said: "Government has almost a billion dollars invested in school buildings in the province. We have a responsibility to ensure that preventative maintenance is performed on these buildings in order to ensure they remain in good condition for years to come. We have an obligation to the students of the province to ensure that they have the opportunity to study and learn in clean, comfortable surroundings."

The minister explained that through the combined efforts of school boards and government, in excess of $4 million will be spent in repairs and maintenance of schools this summer. "This will mean that the majority of students will return to classes in September in schools that have a fresh new look and which have been thoroughly cleaned and refurbished."

Contact: Carl Cooper, (709) 729-5040.

1998 06 17          11:35 a.m.