Upgrades for schools in the Campbell River School District are coming with the B.C. government announcing over $2.1 million in funding today.
North Island MLA Claire Trevena says students in the North Island will benefit from safer, more efficient and comfortable schools.
“Parents want to know their children are learning in safe and well-maintained schools,” said MLA Trevena. “Boosting funding means that fewer school maintenance projects have to be put on hold, and that kids are learning in the best environment possible.”
Campbell River (SD 72) is receiving $2,145,817 in total funding, including:
- $852,379 in School Enhancement Program funding for mechanical system upgrades at Carihi Secondary, and dust collection system upgrades at Timberline Secondary
- $1,293,438 in Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding, which flows to the Campbell River School District annually for routine school maintenance costs
These funding programs are part of a $198-million provincial investment under the Annual Facilities Grant, School Enhancement Program, Carbon Neutral Capital Program and Bus Replacement Program, to ensure students have well-maintained learning environments and bus services that are safe, comfortable and efficient.
The provincial government has boosted school maintenance funding by more than $20 million over last year, and has increased the AFG for the first time since 2004/05. The increase in funding will help ensure that students, teachers and school district staff can focus their energy where it matters most – in the classroom.
“Students deserve to learn in schools that are well maintained and operating the way they should. That’s why we’ve boosted funding to these programs by more than $20 million over last year,” said Education Minister Rob Fleming. “We are supporting B.C. schools with this funding, so students, teachers and school district staff can focus their energy to where it matters most – in the classroom.”
Each year, the Carbon Neutral Capital Program funds $5 million for upgrades that cut greenhouse-gas emissions and boost energy efficiency. Three of the 19 schools receiving funding this year are using it to install solar panel systems.
This year’s $12.5-million investment under the School Bus Replacement Program is buying 93 new and replacement buses in 28 school districts. The replacement buses will make travelling to school safer and more reliable for students. The new buses will add to districts’ fleets, allowing them to better serve students with new routes.
These funding programs build on the Annual Facilities Grant (AFG), which flows to districts annually for routine school maintenance costs. This year, the total AFG is $115.5 million, an increase of $5 million over last year. This is the first increase to the AFG since 2004-05.
Many of the projects being funded through these programs will benefit schools by saving them money on electricity, natural gas, fuel and maintenance. Those savings can be reinvested in classrooms to support student learning.
“Our government recognizes that students will be better off in an education system that is properly resourced,” said Fleming. “Increasing the funding to these programs is the first step to address the backlog of school maintenance in this province.”