School enhancement funds of $206 million are being delivered to school districts across the province. SD6, which includes the Kimberley Zone, will receive $1,838,071.
SD6 plans to spend the money on building enclosure and accessibility upgrades at Edgewater Elementary, flooring upgrades at David Thompson Secondary in Invermere, LED lighting upgrades at David Thompson Secondary and Golden Secondary, and one new bus.
“For too many years, maintenance projects weren’t funded properly, and now we are providing school districts with increased resources to improve schools for students,” says Education Minister Rob Fleming. “This funding provides better instructional environments for both teachers and learners to focus more of their energies on student success.”
There were Kimberley projects under the School Enhancement Program. Upgrading the boiler system at Marysville Elementary was on the list ($257,000), as was replacing the boilers at Blarchmont Elementary, which is not currently used as a public school.
While there is no money for Kimberley schools in this round of funding, there are plans for major upgrades in the SD6 201920 five year capital plan.
Under the expansion program, the second priority is adding two classrooms and renovating one at McKim Middle School for a cost of $1,567,912. And under the replacement program is the complete replacement of Selkirk Secondary in Kimberley at a cost of $25,250,000. That is a top priority under the SD6 replacement program with the replacement of Nicholson Elementary next.
However, there are many school districts across the province, including SD5 to the south, which is looking at replacing Mount Baker Secondary in Cranbrook, all vying for money for school replacements.
carolyn.grant@kimberleybulletin.com
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