Catholic School Board to pay $3.5M for modernization fund gap

The Catholic School Board will spend $3.5 million of its own money to do paint and ceiling repairs at three schools in Edmonton after a provincial funding shortfall.

J.H. Picard, Louis St. Laurent and Archbishop O'Leary are all slated for modernization work, including basic repairs and a new coat of paint.

However, that work on each of the three schools will cost more than the province made available as part of its January 2014 modernization budget.

At present, the province’s allocated budget would only cover basic structural and mechanical work, board members say.

In a vote held Tuesday night, school trustees agreed to shell out the extra cash for now, but plan to ask the province for reimbursement.

“I am very disappointed that government has left us on the hook,” said trustee Marilyn Bergstra.

And that’s something Chair Debbie Engel would like to see change as well. 

“We would like to see the funding come from the government to cover the full amount that a modernization costs, so this isn't our ideal choice,” she said. “We certainly aren't rich at Edmonton Catholic in terms of reserve moneys.”

The board says it will pay the costs now, and then send a letter to government asking to be reimbursed.