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Portable classrooms not going ahead

Two modular classrooms at West Park Elementary School will not go forward after the provincial government announced it would contribute only half of the costs, reported Red Deer Public Schools.

Two modular classrooms at West Park Elementary School will not go forward after the provincial government announced it would contribute only half of the costs, reported Red Deer Public Schools.

Earlier this year, the board received approval for four modular classroom spaces to be placed at West Park Elementary and Normandeau School to address accommodation challenges.

The school district later learned the Progressive Conservative government is now requiring school jurisdictions to contribute half of the cost for transportation, installation and link construction. It is estimated this will cost the district $447,032, which is beyond the capital reserve of the district. In the past these costs were covered by government.

The board expressed concerns during Wednesday’s board meeting regarding the change in rules and its ability to cover the costs. These issues have been raised with Education Minister Jeff Johnson and Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski and Red Deer South MLA Cal Dallas but there has been no relief offered.