New education funding greeted by mixed reviews
The New Brunswick government's decision to fund two new schools in the Moncton area has been greeted with mixed reaction.
Education Minister Jody Carr unveiled a $98-million capital spending plan for schools on Wednesday, a record amount of infrastructure funding for his department.
Carr carved out $10-million for starting work on rebuilding Moncton High School, which was shut down in the fall for health and safety concerns. As well, he set aside $1.8 million to begin design work for a new kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school in Riverview.
Anne-Marie Picone Ford, who has been fighting for a new Moncton High, said she's not happy with the announcement because there is not enough money being budgeted to complete the project within the next year.
"If we had known what was going to be happening it would make decisions a lot easier to swallow with regards to next fall," she said,
"Now it's just going to create a lot more anxiety and anticipation and wondering, ‘You know what exactly does this mean for our kids where are they going to be again?’"
Students are not expected to be in the new Moncton High in September 2011.
The education minister said after his Wednesday speech his preferred choice is rebuild Moncton High School with its existing tower and auditorium, a plan that was recommended by an external architectural consultant in November.
Carr said, members of his staff are studying whether that consultant’s plan is feasible.
Students and staff will not be able to return to Moncton High in September 2011
‘Absolutely thrilled’
The reaction in Riverview to the funding allotted to the new school was different on Wednesday.
Lana Hansen, who has been leading the effort to replace the overcrowded Gunningsville School, said the addition of the school into the capital budget was positive development for the town.
"I am absolutely thrilled that we're in the budget or we appear to be and that things will move forward. So [I] couldn't be happier," Hansen said.
The Progressive Conservative government’s capital budget outlined $592.9 million in new infrastructure spending, down from the $940.4 million spent by the former Liberal government in 2010-11
While many departments were forced to live with fewer capital dollars, the Department of Education is receiving its largest capital budget.
Carr said on Wednesday that it's been a difficult year for his department and the infusion of capital funds will help address the problems.
"Since taking office our government has been dealing with serious school infrastructure problems," Carr said.
After being forced to shut down Moncton High and Campbellton’s Polyvalente Roland-Pépin in the fall, Carr ordered a structural safety review of all schools built before 1980.
The structural review, which is being performed by the departments of education and supply and services, will include the 229 schools constructed before 1980.
Carr said on Wednesday that the review is ongoing.