$7.3 M Upgrade For School District Office

An upgrade to the Vernon School District offices has been talked about for years — and now it’s moving forward.

Board chair Kelly Smith says 7.3 million dollars will be spent to renovate the current office and replace the portables with new space.

The facilities date back to 1972.

Smith says the current board office, which is in a portable, will become part of the main office.

“We’ve had a few ministers of education who have met us there and have said this is about the worst board office in the province.”

Smith says no classroom funds will be used for the project, but rather proceeds from property sales, facility grants and savings from other areas.

Smith says they have over a million dollars from the sale of West Vernon school in 2014 that will be used for the project.

She says planning will be the next stage for the project that will be done in phases.

“While part of it’s being built, work at the board office can continue, and then while the renovations are going on, it can still go on,” Smith tells Kiss FM.

The main building has problems with heating, plumbing and leaks.