A $17.4 million plan to ensure the health and safety of Island students, educators and staff has been finalized, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
“It has always been our number one priority to ensure that all Island schools are healthy and safe for children and staff,” said Mr. Currie. “The comprehensive plan we are announcing today will ensure the concerns raised by moisture infiltration in our schools are addressed for the long-term.”
The comprehensive plan to address moisture infiltration issues will affect approximately 7,000 students and 545 staff.
In November of 2010, moisture problems were first found at Elm Street School in Summerside. A renovation costing more than $240, 000 has successfully dealt with that issue.
Immediately after the identification of the problem at Elm Street, Minister Currie ordered province-wide school inspections. As a result, 15 Island schools were identified with moisture issues.
“The solution to these problems requires a province-wide approach,” said Mr. Currie. “Twelve of the schools require relatively minor repairs – and will cost approximately $3.6 million. The remaining three schools have more serious problems – and will require an investment of $13.8 million.”
The three larger projects include:
• Replacement of Spring Park Elementary School – $11.5 million (to be completed in early 2013)
• Extensive renovations at Morell Consolidated – $1.5 million (to be completed in October 2011)
• Medium-level renovations at Bluefield High School – $800,000 (to be completed in early 2012)
The remaining $3.6 million in the plan is required to complete repairs at: École Évangeline, Englewood, Mt. Stewart Consolidated, Parkside Elementary, Queen Charlotte Intermediate, Colonel Gray, Eliot River Consolidated, Central Queens Elementary, East Wiltshire Intermediate, Kensington Intermediate, Sherwood Elementary and Stonepark Intermediate. (All to be completed by fall 2011.)
“As we announce this plan, I want to thank and commend students, parents and staff for their patience. In the wake of serious difficulties, everyone has done everything in their power to address these issues.”
In particular, Mr. Currie noted the cooperation of everyone affiliated with the Spring Park Elementary and Morell Consolidated Schools.
“I understand the disruption that has taken place at both schools – and the solutions will take some time. In the case of Spring Park, the building is simply beyond repair. A mere renovation would represent nothing more than a band-aid solution.”
Renovations at Spring Park would have cost at least $3 million, and estimates suggest that work would have prolonged the life of the school by only a matter of years.
The moisture infiltration problem is comparable to the difficulties faced by government in 2008 with dilapidated school buses.
“At the time, we discovered that the bus fleet had been neglected for years. As a result, we began a $13.5 million bus replacement program – and constant inspections are now part of the process,” said Mr. Currie.
In the wake of the moisture infiltration problem, government will now insist on regular and comprehensive inspections of Island schools.
Given the extraordinary nature of the plan, current commitments to school capital projects will not be affected.
“These costs do pose a challenge to government,” Mr. Currie said. “But the health and safety of children and staff is not a matter for compromise.”