NEW WESTMINSTER – Local MLA Minister Judy Darcy says students in New Westminster will benefit from safer, more efficient and more comfortable schools thanks to over $2 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects in the New Westminster School District.
“I’m thrilled our new government is making these crucial investments in our children’s education,” said MLA Darcy. “After too many years of cuts and neglect, today’s boost in funding will ensure that this generation of students in New Westminster are able to learn, grow and thrive in safe and comfortable school environments.”
New Westminster School District (SD 40) is receiving $2,059,460 in total funding including:
- $650,000 in School Enhancement Program to fund Phase 2 of mechanical upgrades at Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary.
- $250,000 in provincial Carbon Neutral Capital Program funding for boiler upgrades at Glenbrook Elementary.
- $1,159,460 Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding, which flows to the New Westminster 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 where it matters most – in the classroom.
Today’s new funding comes on top of this month’s announcement of a full seismic replacement at Richard McBride Elementary and a seismic upgrade at École Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary.
Provincial news release and backgrounder: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018EDUC0015-000500