16 More New Schools Bring Total to 55

Sixteen more schools will be built for children in communities across the province.

The new schools --all identified as pressing needs by school boards --are in addition to 39 already being planned or built as part of Nova Scotia's multi-year school construction program. The province will continue to review requests as they are identified by school boards.

In making the announcement at Elmsdale District School, Premier Russell MacLellan highlighted the need for new schools. Using Elmsdale school as an example, he said: "Children are bowling in the hallways because they no longer have a gym for phys ed, and library books are being stored in a closet.

"We owe our children more than this. Our children and their teachers deserve to learn and work in modern, bright schools with labs, libraries and other learning areas --where young people can realize their dreams and do their very best."

Planning for all schools will get under way soon. Requests for proposals, seeking partners to build the schools, will be in newspapers within weeks.

Construction will begin in phases over the next four years. This schedule sets realistic, achievable opening dates, given that planning or construction of almost 40 other schools is now under way. Opening dates will be firm, written into contracts with the private partners.

The first of the 16 schools will open no later than September 2001. Those are: Elmsdale Elementary, cole Petit-de-Grat and Chedabucto Place, a Primary to Grade 12 school in Guysborough County.

Also to open no later than September 2001: Primary-12 schools in both Clare and Argyle, a new cole Ste-Anne-du-Ruisseau, and an extensive renovation of cole Secondaire de Clare. Together, these schools will provide equitable learning environments for French-and English-first language students.

Schools scheduled to open no later than September 2002 are: St. Anthony Daniel Elementary in Sydney, South Colchester High, East Pictou High and cole Pomquet.

Two schools are scheduled to open no later than September 2003:
Sydney Elementary and West Pictou High.

Scheduled to open no later than September 2004 are: Rankin Memorial to serve students now at Iona and Christmas Island schools; Shelburne Regional High, Amherst Elementary and Cumberland Elementary. "Our government believes in giving all students --in rural and urban communities --every opportunity for success," said Wayne Gaudet, Minister of Education and Culture. "Part of this commitment must be good, modern schools equipped to deliver the programs students need to find a job, continue school and pursue their dreams."

The 16 schools are valued at about $194 million. Individual project budgets will be set following consultation with school boards. The schools will be built by, and leased from, private partners. This means the schools can be built without delay and paid for over time --without adding to the provincial debt.

Along with the new schools, government announced renovations to 57 schools in December 1997. That list has now been reduced to more than 40, as a result of these new schools and progress on high priority projects.

As well as the educational benefits, more than 9,000 people will be put to work as a result of Nova Scotia's school construction program.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A backgrounder on the province's school construction program is available; please e-mail [email protected] or call 902-424-4492 for a copy.