Metro school boards receive $100 million for modernization
Edmonton ... Government has allocated $100 million from Alberta Education's 2007-08 capital budget to the four major school boards in Edmonton and Calgary to support school infrastructure modernization projects.
The Calgary and Edmonton public school boards will receive $35 million each and the Calgary and Edmonton Catholic boards will receive $15 million apiece. This $100-million announcement coincides with the $97-million government investment in 17 major modernization projects throughout the province.
"This funding will alleviate some of the major pressing maintenance needs of the four school boards," said Education Minister Ron Liepert.
The funding for the Calgary Board of Education will address longstanding modernization requirements at Western Canada High School (Western). Liepert added, "A project team, comprised of representatives from the board and Alberta Education, will work on developing a long range plan which best meets the needs of students and staff at Western."
The Edmonton Public School Board and the Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District will develop plans for their allocations, which will be submitted to the Minister of Education by the end of September. Edmonton Catholic Separate School District funds will be allocated to modernize Archbishop MacDonald High School.
This funding brings the government's investment for new school infrastructure, as well as modernization and maintenance, to more than $600 million for the 2007-08 fiscal year. Alberta's 2007-10 Capital Plan includes funding for 88 new or major modernization projects, including 13 schools to be opened in 2007-08 across the province.
Government continues to work with the Edmonton and Calgary boards on the June 2007 announcement of a public-private partnership for 18 new schools. Planning for a second phase, addressing middle and high schools in the Edmonton and Calgary regions, is under development.
Liepert added, "One of this government's top priorities is providing safe and healthy learning environments for our students. An investment in school infrastructure is an investment in Alberta's students and this province's future."
Investing in Alberta's school infrastructure is one of the actions under Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to manage growth pressures. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, improve Albertans' quality of life, build a stronger Alberta, and provide safe and secure communities.
