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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 26, 2007 - 3 Province finally comes up with cash for new schools By Tim Whitnell SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER It took more than a year but the Halton District School Board's cries for more money for new schools - two of which are already built - have been answered in the form of a guarantee of $40 million in additional funding from the provincial government. Education Minister Kathleen Wynne dropped by the board's offices in Burlington Wednesday to announce the infusion of cash for the board's short-term capital building projects. Waiting patiently, and somewhat nervously, for months on an answer from the ministry on money it says is needed for new schools, board staff and trustees in attendance were all smiles after Wynne's proclamation. The board's education director was happy to see the money confirmed. "The board approved (new school) funding without knowing if the funding would come. It was a brave, courageous move (by staff and trustees). The kids were here and we had to do something" to put them in classrooms, said Halton District School Board Education Director Wayne Joudrie. "As the newly-appointed director, at my very first meeting of the board they (trustees) approved the two new schools. I had one foot on the boat and one on the deck. I pointed out they were in some significant (financial) risk but they had to balance that against the needs for (new) student accommodation," said Joudrie, acknowledging his initial concern with the construc- Halton District School Board Education Director Wayne Joudrie tion approvals without firm ministry funding. Wynne told those assembled that Halton stuck its neck out for what it thought was the right thing to do. "This board took a leap of faith that the money would be there and they put their trust in us," she said. "Halton was quick out of the gate with their (new school) business cases (rationale) and that's why we're here today," she added. "This is part of our (task), to rebuild confidence in public education. When you walk by and see crumbling (school) buildings it's hard" to have trust in the education system or the government, said the minister. The government will pay the $40 million over 25 years to help the board build four new schools and put an addition on another in Halton. Two of the schools are Alexander's Public School in Burlington and Bruce Trail P.S. in Milton, both of which opened last September. The money is also for the construction of Oakville's West Oak Trails #3 and Georgetown South #2 elementary; West Oak Trails will open this September while the Georgetown site is expected to open sometime during the 2007-08 school year. Hawthorne Village P.S. in Milton got a 10room portapak two weeks ago. Each of the four elementary schools has a price tag of about $9.5 million while the Hawthorne addition is worth about $1.6 million, accounting for the $40 million. The Halton public board funding is part of the government's $1 billion investment to build 100 new schools, announced in October 2006, and is in addition to the money boards receive to build new schools based on overall student enrollment and the capacity of the board. The $1 billion includes: · $10 million annually to support $137 million worth of new school construction in boards that need more space for growing student populations · $50 million annually to support $700 million invested to replace schools that are in poor condition, part of the government's $4 billion Good Places to Learn initiative · $16 million over four years to support $220 million invested to ensure French-language school boards can provide schools in areas where FrancoOntarians live. Halton board business superintendent Steve Parfeniuk said the new money will allow it to balance its books for the 200506 budget. As late as last week's board meeting, that budget, still undergoing review by an auditor, had shown a $26.4-million deficit, most of which was attributed to borrowing the money to build Alexander's and Bruce Trail schools. Parfeniuk said the board had to use its line of credit for the funds. Now that the ministry is guaranteeing the money for the new schools the board can utilize conventional debenture loans and should be able to recoup the almost $1 million in interest it has already paid. Final Week Warmer weather had our accountant's Temperature Rising! So we Dropped our PRICES on all Winter Coats Hurry For Best Selection ACTON TORONTO GLENLEVEN CHRYSLER C H RYS L E R · J E E P · D O D G E Chrysler Aspen THE ALL NEW 2007 LINE UP IS HERE! Chrysler Sebring Jeep Compass Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Serving the community for 45 years! 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