New School for Eastern Shore Students

Young students on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore are getting a new school and others will see some major renovations at their current school.

MLA Bill Dooks, on behalf of Education Minister Angus MacIsaac, announced today, June 7, that the province will build a new elementary/middle school replacing the Robert Jamison Family of Schools, which includes Musquodoboit Harbour, Jeddore-Lakeville, Harbourside and Robert Jamison Elementary schools. The new school will also take in some students who now go to Gaetz Brook Junior High.

"This long awaited news will bring an improved library, music room and gymnasium, as well as other improved services to better prepare our students for their future education and beyond," said Mr. Dooks.

The new facility will cost $12 million with work beginning in the 2004-05 school year. The school will be open for classes in September 2006.

"This is a great announcement for the students, staff and communities served by the Robert Jamison Family of Schools," said David Driscoll, chair of the Halifax Regional School Board. "I'm pleased the government supported the board's recommendation to build a new school for this area. It is a good investment."

Mr. Dooks also announced some major renovations for Lakeview Consolidated School in Porter's Lake. The renovations will cost $4.7 million and will include the construction of a new gymnasium and library, as well as converting the current multi-purpose room to a cafeteria. Work will begin in the 2008-09 school year and should be completed by 2010-11.

The school projects are part of a series of multi-year investments to improve and build schools for Nova Scotia students.

School boards submit priorities for new schools and renovations to the Department of Education. The department asks a capital construction committee to review the board priorities in order to develop a provincial priority list. The committee includes representatives from the Nova Scotia School Boards Association and the departments of Education, Finance, and Transportation and Public Works.