Powell River Board of Education is making a number of requests to the provincial government for improving School District 47 facilities and replacing buses. Steve Hopkins, secretary treasurer for the district, expects an answer from the government this spring.
The board is following the recommendations of Stantec, a professional planning and consulting company that was hired to develop a 10-year facilities plan.
The board is requesting funding for seismic upgrading of Henderson Elementary School.
Another top priority in the board’s plan is to expand Edgehill Elementary School. In the 10-year facilities plan, Stantec outlined that shifting demographics in the community will mean that schools like Edgehill will see an increase in enrolment. The expansion plan is designed to reduce the number of portable classrooms that are needed by building a new gym facility and renovating the old gym into library and special education classrooms.
The board is also asking for funding to continue with mechanical upgrades. At James Thomson Elementary School, upgrades to the school’s boiler system, changing it from propane to natural gas, and replacement of the original 60-year-old boilers is planned.
The board requires funding to replace three 60-passenger school buses and one 84-passenger school bus that are currently being used.
