$2.5 Million for School Repairs

School boards are receiving $2.5 million this year to assist in school repairs. Although boards are responsible for maintaining schools, the provincial government helps fund air-quality improvements and emergency repairs.

Each of the seven school boards received project funding details in letters today from Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison. Forty-two projects were approved this year through the department's emergency and environmental capital budgets.

"We're investing in our schools -- inside and out," Mr. Harrison said. "Along with the $80 million being invested this year to support what's happening in the classroom, this $2.5 million helps ensure students and teachers are learning and teaching in safe, healthy schools."

Mr. Harrison noted this funding is separate from the province's major school construction and renovation plans announced last December. That plan will see more than 30 new schools and about 60 major renovations completed over the next several years.

School board requests are considered on criteria such as the need to improve air quality, and environmental, accessibility and overcrowding issues. Specific projects include window and roof repairs, boiler replacements, elevators and chairlifts, and portable classrooms.

The board-by-board breakdown is: Annapolis Valley, $310,000; Cape Breton-Victoria, $214,000; Chignecto-Central, $615,000; Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, $380,700; Halifax, $610,000; Southwest, $190,000; and Strait, $185,500. A portion of funding for some boards was committed earlier this year for urgent projects.