$1.6 million for local high school expansion

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, M.P.P.

****************************** Orazietti announces $1.6 million for school expansion in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government improving learning environment for local students

SAULT STE MARIE - (June 20) - Sault Ste. Marie area high school students will benefit from new funding for an expansion and facilities upgrade at St. Basil's Secondary School, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"Our government is providing the necessary funding to upgrade aging education facilities in Sault Ste. Marie," said Orazietti.

"This investment will support our community's students for generations to come by improving their learning environments and by providing a boost to the local economy through increased construction activity," Orazietti said.

A portion of St. Basil Secondary School was identified as prohibitive-to-repair by the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board.

The McGuinty government has invested $1.6 million to rebuild a portion of the school.

"After many years of struggling to maintain schools, school boards are working closely with the government and their communities to revitalize our classrooms inside and out," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

"This funding is part of this government's ambitious four-year commitment to renew our schools and helps set the stage for ongoing improvements," said Wynne.

The McGuinty government is supporting a $700 million investment to build new schools or expand existing schools to replace facilities where renewal needs are almost as much as the cost of replacing the school.

The funding is part of the government's $4 billion Good Places to Learn program to address renewal needs and new construction.

Expanding and upgrading schools means that more students will be able to learn in a clean safe, environment.

The community will also enjoy economic benefits during the construction period.

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in public education.

Other examples of McGuinty government support for education in Sault Ste. Marie include:

Funding for Algoma District School Board:

- With this year's additional investment of $2,648,157 funding to the board has increased 11.5 percent, or $12,508,284 under the McGuinty government.

- Per pupil funding is up 6.8 percent or $729 since 2006-07 and has increased by 32.9 percent or $2,838 under the McGuinty government for a total of $11,472 per student.

- The increased investments in Sault Ste. Marie schools have come despite declining enrolment. Since 2003, the number of students attending board schools has dropped by 16.1 percent.

Funding for Huron Superior Catholic District School Board:

- With this year's additional investment of $1,813,288 funding to the board has increased 11.2 percent, or $5,820,954 under the McGuinty government.

- Per pupil funding is up 6.8 percent or $703 since 2006-07 and has increased by 34.3 percent or $2,823 under the McGuinty government for a total of $11,058 per student.

- The increased investments in Sault Ste. Marie schools have come despite declining enrolment. Since 2003, the number of students attending board schools has dropped by 17.2 percent.

This increased provincial funding for education in Sault Ste. Marie has delivered positive results to local classrooms:

- Increasing the percentage of primary classes with 20 or fewer students over the past three years at the Algoma District School Board from 61 to 77 percent, and at the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board from 55 to 65 percent.

- Increasing the percentage of Grade 3 and 6 students achieving the provincial standard at the Algoma District School Board from 46 to 56 percent, and at the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board from 46 to 61 percent.

The McGuinty government's commitment and investments in education in Ontario's publicly funded schools are continuing to expand and improve learning opportunities for students across the province.

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