School Construction Process on Target

Evaluations are complete and recommendations into government for partners to build 31 new schools across the province.

"School construction is on track, and recommendations are going before cabinet," Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison said in a letter to school boards today. "This means partners will be confirmed, and detailed planning and scheduling will get under way as early in September as possible."

Construction start dates depend on a variety of factors: the amount of consultation required by the community, the size of the project, and other project details. The minister said his department "is taking every step to get urgently needed schools built as quickly as our partners can respond."

Based on the proposals received, partners say construction for critical projects could get under way by late fall.

Public tender response to build schools was detailed and competitive. "The proposals -- stacked together -- were literally five feet high," Mr. Harrison said. He thanked school board members and staff for "their tremendous time and effort" on the evaluation teams over the summer, working through these proposals.

"School board and community involvement is an extremely important part of the school construction process," the minister said. "This local involvement gives us confidence we are selecting the right partner to build the right schools in each community."

An announcement on partners will be made as soon as cabinet has approved the recommendations of the evaluation teams.