COWICHAN – Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley says students in the Cowichan Valley will benefit from safer, more efficient and comfortable schools thanks to over $2.8 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects in the Cowichan Valley School District.

“For far too long school districts have struggled to secure funding for much needed maintenance projects,” said MLA Routley. “I am happy to say our government is taking steps to address these funding issues and today’s announcement will help ensure there is a better focus on student safety, both on buses and in the classroom.”

Cowichan Valley School District (SD 79) is receiving $2,856,542 in total funding, including:

• $800,000 in School Enhancement Program funding for roofing upgrades at eight schools.
• $168,597 in School Bus Replacement Program funding for one replacement school bus.
• $1,887,945 in Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding, which flows to the Cowichan Valley 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.

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