MAPLE RIDGE – Local MLAs Lisa Beare and Bob D’Eith say students will benefit from safer, more efficient schools thanks to over $600,000 in provincial funding for school upgrade projects in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District.

“Students can’t learn if their school hasn’t been adequately maintained,” said D’Eith. “We’re prioritizing kids by investing in their education. These much needed upgrades will provide greater safety.”

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District (SD42) is receiving $617,325 in funding to upgrade the boiler and hot water systems at Harry Hooge Elementary and Riverside Centre.

“Parents deserve the peace of mind of sending their kids to a safe and comfortable school,” said Beare. “Our government has made school infrastructure a priority, which will enable them to learn and thrive in their schools.”

These funding programs are part of a $206 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. This year’s provincial funding is a $500,000 increase from the previous year, and a $20.6 million increase from 2016/17.

The New Democrat government has delivered historic levels of funding to B.C. schools, including the biggest operating and capital budgets in B.C. history, an extra $1-billion in classroom funding over 2016/17, $2.7-billion over three years to build, seismically upgrade and expand K-12 schools, and a new annual $5-million playground fund.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019EDUC0019-000324