Upper Grand District School Board approves Full Day Kindergarten Capital Plan
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 28, 2011
GUELPH, Ontario — The Upper Grand District School Board has approved in principle a capital plan to complete, by September 2014, the construction of classrooms required for full day kindergarten (FDK) students, and to deal with projected enrolment increases in high growth areas.
The plan will affect the great majority of the Board’s elementary schools. Many will undergo changes or renovations to their existing school buildings to accommodate the needs of kindergarten students. Several new schools will also be built in the next few years.
It is estimated that full day kindergarten will effectively increase the Board’s full time elementary enrolment by approximately ten percent or 2,200 students, enough to fill four new schools.
“This is a good news story for students,” said Bob Borden, Chair of the Board.
“The need for additional classrooms and the equipment requirements for kindergarten students will require the Board to undertake many capital improvements that might not otherwise be possible.”
Community information sessions will be held to review the plan and answer questions. These will begin after Thanksgiving. The schedule for the implementation of the plan, including possible boundary reviews, will be available on October 11 at the board’s Business Operations Committee meeting.
The Board has access to $46 million in capital funds to finance the program. More than half of this, about $27 million is in Ministry of Education New Pupil Place funds, while $8 million will come from the proceeds of various site sales.
The Board also has $11 million in full day kindergarten funding from the Ministry for initial work and has requested $37 million in additional FDK funding to complete the program.
The plan is currently posted on the Board’s website.
For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext. 544
[email protected]
Categories: Media Releases