Following a thorough analysis and review, the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, announced today that funding has been approved to build a new K-6 school in the community of Paradise. The new facility will replace Paradise Elementary.

"I appreciate this has been a difficult time for the parents of Paradise Elementary, with their children being moved to other schools outside the community late last fall," said Minister Burke. "I know they have been waiting for a decision on the future of their community school and I am pleased today to inform them that a new school will be built."

The Eastern School District closed Paradise Elementary late last fall due to air quality issues and the presence of mould. The school board later passed a motion requesting that the school be redeveloped. "We have completed a detailed assessment of this request, including additional testing on interior walls, which revealed mould and high moisture and humidity levels. Given the amount of funding required to redevelop the site, ensuring air quality issues are addressed, we determined that the best course of action is to build a new school," said Minister Burke.

The new facility will be built at a cost of approximately $10 million. This will include a gymnasium and cafeteria. Planning will begin immediately and it is anticipated the project will be completed for the 2010 school year.

This year, $51 million has been allocated for school infrastructure such as repairs, maintenance and new school construction, an increase of almost $30 million since 2003. Operating grants to school districts have been increased by 67 per cent, from 55 cents per square foot to 92 cents per square foot. This will help school boards better meet the basic repairs and maintenance issues that commonly occur in schools and have them addressed before they develop into larger problems.

"Work such as the replacement of roofs and windows, air quality testing and enhanced inspections is happening all over the province. We will continue to be vigilant in identifying issues and, more importantly, providing the necessary funding to get the work done," said Minister Burke.