Education Minister Jeffrey E. Lantz announced today that Treasury Board has given preliminary approval to the Eastern School District's request to enter into a 20-year lease agreement with the Town of Stratford for office space.
"We are pleased that the Eastern School District has been able to secure a location that will meet its future needs," said Minister Lantz. "Office space for Eastern School District staff has been an issue that the Departments of Education and Transportation and Public Works have been working to address. The Eastern School District has been interested in finding new accommodations for some time, and the Town of Stratford will have the space required for the school board's administrative offices in the new town centre in Stratford."
Minister Lantz noted that the school board office at Linden Avenue is an aging facility. The former Parkdale School was originally built in 1940, and the board office has been located there since the late 1970s. A two-storey extension was added to the facility in 1990. Minister Lantz added that provincial, municipal and school district officials are working on the final details of the lease agreement. A further announcement on the details of the project is expected soon.
Speaking on behalf of the Eastern School District, Chairperson Robert Clow said the new office is welcome news for the district and its administrative staff.
"District functions in the areas of administration, human resources, student services, program services, business and financial services will be greatly enhanced in a facility designed to meet their particular needs. Adequate meeting rooms, office space and parking will allow the school board and our staff to better serve the Eastern School District education community. The school board acknowledges the support and cooperation of the Departments of Education and Transportation and Public Works in attending to the administrative needs of the Eastern School District," said Mr. Clow.
The Eastern School District's administrative offices will continue to be located at 24 Linden Avenue and 155 Queen Street in Charlottetown until construction of the new town centre in Stratford is complete.
Speaking on behalf of the Town of Stratford, Mayor Michael Farmer said, "The Town of Stratford is pleased to be able to participate in this partnership with the Province and the Eastern School District." Mayor Farmer noted that co-locating the Eastern District offices with the town's municipal complex results in reduced costs for both parties through the use of shared space, through shared building systems and components and through economies of scale in construction.