Local MLAs welcome school upgrades for Victoria and Saanich students

VICTORIA – Local MLAs say students in Victoria and Saanich will benefit from safer, more efficient and comfortable schools thanks to over $7 million in provincial funding for school upgrades in the Greater Victoria and Saanich School Districts.

Greater Victoria School District (SD 61) is receiving $4,783,030 in total funding, including:

  • $800,000 in School Enhancement Program funding for window and flooring upgrades and Mount Douglas High.
  • $3,983,030 in Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding, which flows to the Greater Victoria School District annually for routine school maintenance costs.

Saanich School District (SD 63) is receiving $2,483,270 in total funding, including:

  • $980,000 for HVAC system upgrades at Lochside Elementary.
  • $1,503,270 in AFG funding, which flows to the Saanich School District annually for routine school maintenance costs.

These funding programs are part of a $198-million provincial investment under the Annual Facilities Grant, School Enhancement Program, Carbon Neutral Capital Program and Bus Replacement Program, to ensure students have well-maintained learning environments and bus services that are safe, comfortable and efficient.

The provincial government has boosted school maintenance funding by more than $20 million over last year, and has increased the AFG for the first time since 2004/05. The increase in funding will help ensure that students, teachers and school district staff can focus their energy on teaching and learning.

Quotes:

“Students deserve to learn in schools that are well maintained and operating the way they should. That’s why we’ve boosted funding to these programs by more than $20 million over last year. We are supporting B.C. schools with this funding, so students, teachers and school district staff can focus their energy to where it matters most – in the classroom.” – Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake

“We are increasing annual school maintenance funding for the first time in a decade. The additional dollars are making sure our schools are well maintained so our students can study in safe, supportive environments.” – Carole James, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill

“This is great news for our schools and families in Saanich. Education has been underfunded for too long in our province, and this funding increase is helping us get back on track.” – Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South

Link to Provincial release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018EDUC0015-000500