Some school renovation projects could be put on hold

The President of the Alberta School Boards Association isn’t happy to hear some renovation projects could be put on the back burner.

Jacquie Hansen tells 660News she understands when it comes to spending that the Redford goverment needs to be frugal. But she adds the Premier promised in the recent provincial budget that cash to build and repair schools would be available.

“So if they are not going to be providing us with the funds to do that, these schools are going to get in worse shape,” says Hansen, reacting to the recent release of a business plan by the infrastructure department which suggests some repairs will be put off until later.  “Frankly, it’s going to end up costing us more in the long run if schools aren’t getting repaired.”

Hansen adds fixing existing schools is just as important as building new ones.

“Maintaining our kids’ environment, from a safety perspective is key, from a health perspective is key,” notes Hansen.  “We can’t let these things go.  So I’m sure we’ll be dialoguing with them about this.”

The recent business plan by the infrastructure department suggests about 49 per cent of the 1,500 schools in the province will fall into the fair condition category by 2015-16.

The Calgary Herald reports that the deferred maintenance tab at the Calgary Board of Education alone is pegged at $900.

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