School Boards Secure Infrastructure Injection

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A 2005 government report pegged 595 schools (39%) as being at or near the end of their life cycle, indicating that Alberta is still in a significant deficit position regarding school replacement and maintenance. But help is on the way.


“The provincial government's May 24th announcement of $550 million in funding to build or modernize 35 schools across Alberta is a good start towards resolving a major school infrastructure problem,” says Jacquie Hansen, President of the Alberta School Boards Association.
“We are delighted that the Minister and his colleagues have agreed to provide new schools to meet Alberta's rapidly growing student population. We still have school infrastructure problems in many Alberta communities, but this is certainly a large step in the right direction.”

Hansen said she was pleased the government is responding to ASBA's long held position that school infrastructure spending be based on need rather than revenue surpluses. She credited Minister of Education Dave Hancock for pursuing the much needed funding and Minister of Infrastructure Ray Danyluk and Premier Ed Stelmach for recognizing the high priority.