SURREY – Local New Democrat MLAs say students in Surrey will benefit from safer, more efficient and comfortable schools thanks to almost $15 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects and new busses in the Surrey School District.

Surrey School District (SD 36) is receiving $14,811,326 in total funding, including:

·         $2,325,625 in School Enhancement Program funding for building control upgrades at David Brankin Elementary, Holly Elementary, and Bear Creek Elementary.

·         $352,225 in Carbon Neutral Capital Program funding for energy efficient boiler upgrades at the District Facility Centre

·         $522, 617 in School Bus Replacement Program funding for one replacement bus and three buses to serve new routes

·         $11, 610, 859 in Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding, which flows to the Surrey School District annually for routine school maintenance costs.

The $198-million provincial investment under these programs is ensuring 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.

“When students succeed, everyone succeeds, but the old government neglected Surrey students and left them behind,” said Surrey-Newton MLA Harry Bains. “The funding our new government is providing for building control upgrades at Bear Creek Elementary shows that people are our priority.”

“Students deserve better learning environments,” said Surrey-Guildford MLA Garry Begg. “The upgrades planned for Holly Elementary will ensure students get the environment they deserve.”

“Schools should be accessible to students,” said Surrey-Whalley MLA Bruce Ralston. “That is why we are providing funding for three buses that will serve new routes, so parents and students can commute to school more easily.”

“After years of cuts, our government is giving the funding to ensure our kids are able to study in seismically upgraded and well-maintained schools,” said Surrey-Panorama MLA Jinny Sims. “Our $14.8 million investment shows that we put Surrey students first.”

“For too long the needs of students were ignored in a growing community like Surrey,” said Surrey-Green Timbers MLA Rachna Singh. “With this government, students, like the ones at David Brankin Elementary, will finally be given the learning supports they need.”

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018EDUC0015-000500