A BC government will support several upgrades and improvements at local schools.
The Province is spending $261-million to help with things like upgrades to heating, HVAC and ventilation systems at schools across BC, as well as several minor projects.
Locally, the Rocky Mountain School District gets $1.3 million to upgrade Marysville Elementary School’s roof and electrical upgrades at Kimberley’s McKim Middle School and Nicholson Elementary School in Golden.
The Southeast Kootenay School District gets $1.5-million for plumbing fixes at Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Secondary School and electrical upgrades at Elkford’s Rocky Mountain Elementary School and Sparwood Secondary School.
Meanwhile, SD 5 and SD 6 each get a new school bus.
Find more information from the BC government below:
Students throughout B.C. will soon be learning in safer, improved schools now that more funding is available to school districts.
“We are making historic investments in school capital projects across the province,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education. “Schools are the cornerstones of our communities, and our government is continuing to invest in our school infrastructure to ensure that our kids have clean, safe, modern places to learn, grow and play.”
As part of Budget 2023, the Province is providing $261.1 million in 2023-24 for school maintenance projects, including $41 million to upgrade heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems at 101 schools throughout B.C.
As part of the school maintenance funding, $13 million will go toward the purchase of at least 67 new school buses. Additional funding is being made available through the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation for school districts that buy electric buses. This supports the Province’s CleanBC targets for public-sector organizations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030 for vehicle fleets.
“British Columbians are adopting cleaner vehicles at a remarkable rate and doing their part to reduce emissions and the impacts of climate change,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “Every zero-emission vehicle on the road, especially medium- and heavy-duty ones, like buses that our students rely on every day, helps to reduce pollution, improve air quality and keep our busy streets quiet.”
To further improve emissions reductions and energy efficiency at B.C. schools, the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Carbon Neutral Capital Program is providing $23 million in 2023-24 to support energy and electrical upgrades at 86 schools. The Carbon Neutral Capital Program provides specific funding to energy-efficiency projects that lower school districts’ carbon emissions.
To ensure school districts have access to flexible maintenance funding if repairs or issues arise throughout the year, the Province is increasing the annual facility grant by an additional $26.6 million. As well, $147.1 million is available for school districts to address maintenance needs in a versatile way based on their priorities, keeping schools safe and functioning.
Investments in school maintenance are part of the Province’s work to ensure students are learning in safe, positive and well-maintained schools.
In addition to maintenance projects, since September 2017, the Government of B.C. has announced $3.2 billion for new and improved schools as well as land purchases for future schools throughout the province. This includes adding almost 20,000 new student spaces and 33,000 seismically safe seats at B.C. schools.
Budget 2023 includes $3.4 billion for school capital projects over the next three years, including new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, and land purchases for future schools.
The Ministry of Education and Child Care receives annual five-year capital plan submissions from public school districts requesting approval and funding for minor capital projects.
As part of Budget 2023, the province is providing $261.1 million for school maintenance projects, which includes $41 million to upgrade heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems at 101 schools, $13 million to purchase at least 67 new school buses, and $23 million to support energy and electrical upgrades at 86 schools through the Carbon Neutral Capital Program.
Through the annual facility grant, $147.1 million is available for school districts to address maintenance needs in a versatile way based on their priorities. The annual facility grant is flexible maintenance funding that school districts can use for repairs or issues that arise throughout the year.
The following is a description of the minor capital programs offered by the ministry and the approved projects for the 2023-24 year:
School Enhancement Program (SEP)
SEP funding supports repair and maintenance projects that contribute to the function of the school and extend the life of the existing building. Eligible projects include:
* roofing upgrades (such as replacement and repair);
* exterior wall system upgrades (such as cladding, insulation, windows and building envelope);
* interior construction upgrades (such as interior accessibility, flooring and wall partitions);
* HVAC upgrades (such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning);
* electrical upgrades (such as power supply, distribution systems and fire-protection systems); and
* plumbing upgrades (such as washrooms, water fountains and re-piping).
Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP)
CNCP funding supports carbon-neutral projects that have the greatest effect reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing energy efficiency and operational savings.
Building Envelope Program (BEP)
BEP funding supports the remediation of schools suffering damage from water getting into buildings, due to premature building envelope failure. School facilities eligible for BEP funding were built between 1985 and 2000, and have a Building Envelope Condition Assessment completed by BC Housing.
Playground Equipment Program (PEP)
PEP funding supports inclusion and accessibility through the purchase and installation of universally accessible playground equipment as requested and prioritized by school districts.
Bus Acquisition Program (BUS)
BUS funding supports the acquisition of new buses for those that have surpassed established thresholds for school bus age and/or mileage, demonstrate significant safety and/or mechanical issues, that are required to support new routes in a school district without current student transportation service, or where the school district intends to create their own busing services versus using third-party contracted services.
Minor capital projects approved for 2023-24
Southeast Kootenay School District (SD 5) – Total $1,503,885
School Enhancement Program (SEP)
* Plumbing upgrades at Mount Baker Secondary
Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP)
* Electrical upgrades at Rocky Mountain Elementary
* Electrical upgrades at Sparwood Secondary
Bus Acquisition Program (BUS)
* One new bus
Rocky Mountain School District (SD 6) – Total $1,390,649
School Enhancement Program (SEP)
* Roofing upgrades at Marysville Elementary
Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP)
* Electrical upgrades at McKim Middle school
* Electrical upgrades at Nicholson Elementary
Bus Acquisition Program (BUS)
* One new bus
– Article includes statement from Province of British Columbia
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