Funds Sought For School Expansions

Four elementary schools in the Vernon will be expanded — but only if the Education Ministry comes through with funding.

Board chair Kelly Smith says the District will seek funding for more space at BX, Hillview, Alexis Park, and Silver Star, which have more students and teachers.

“They’re not big enough. We have to add on to them. So that’s really what will happen, they will get additions and upgrades. Going back to the 2001 language (on class size and composition), we’re finding we’re going to need a lot more space,” Smith tells Kiss FM.

Smith says expansions are more likely to get funding from Victoria than requests for new schools.

Smith says Victoria appears to only be funding replacement new schools for population growth or for seismic mitigation.

“So anyone else who needs funds, new schools will not come up very high on the list, unless you have a real increase in population in a certain area.”

Smith says the trustees expect to know more about the potential costs of the projects at their June 21 meeting.