$45 million for new schools in the Sault

MPP David Orazietti tonight announced millions of dollars in provincial funding to build two new schools in Sault Ste. Marie.

In March, Algoma District School Board Director Mario Turco said he hoped to obtain provincial approval within weeks to build a new high school to replace Sir James Dunn and Bawating collegiates, as well as one new French immersion school that would consolidate F.H. Clergue and Rosedale public schools and be constructed on the current Clergue site.

The board’s capital plan calls for an array of area school closures and consolidations over the next 25 years.

Orazietti issued the following news release in conjunction with tonight’s announcement made during a meeting of the Algoma District School Board.

************************* Orazietti announces $44.8 million to build new schools in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government delivers on new school facilities for first time in decades

SAULT STE. MARIE - Sault Ste. Marie area high school and elementary students will benefit from funding for the construction of new schools, Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti announced today.

“For the first time in decades, a provincial government is providing the necessary funding to replace aging education facilities with new, state-of-the-art schools in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Orazietti. “This investment will support our community’s students for generations to come by improving their learning environment and by providing a boost to the local economy through increased construction activity.”

Francis H. Clergue PS was identified as prohibitive-to-repair by the Ministry of Education and Sir James Dunn C&VS and Bawating C&VS were identified as prohibitive-to-repair by the Algoma District School Board.

The McGuinty government is investing $44.8 million to enable the school board and the local community to work together to find solutions.

“The Ministry’s support of our Capital Plan is an investment in the future of our youth and our community. Their forward thinking is another indication how this government puts great value in providing the best education possible for our children. We want to express our sincere appreciation for the support of our plan by our provincial member of parliament, David Orazietti, our minister of education, Kathleen Wynne, our premier, Dalton McGuinty and the ministry staff,” said Mario Turco, director of education for the Algoma District School Board.

“This is a good news story for our students, our community and our province. Our trustees, students, parents and community partners wish to commend our board staff, ministry staff and our provincial government leaders whose ongoing collaboration is resulting in the development of a vision for northern communities like ours that ultimately will benefit students and society,” said Wanda McQueen, chair of the Algoma District School Board.

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.

“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.” Building new or replacement 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:

- Algoma District School Board from 61 to 77 per cent

- Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board from 55 to 65 percent.

[And,] increasing the percentage of Grade 3 and 6 students achieving the provincial standard:

- Algoma District School Board from 46 to 56 percent

- 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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