Media Releases

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Board prioritizes support for aging schools in mature neighbourhoods

At last night's board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the Three-Year Capital Plan for 2012-2015. Trustees approved the document with an amendment that listed preservation of existing schools as a higher priority than new school construction. Preservation projects would include essential upgrades and asbestos abatement.

"The Board is committed to supporting our schools in mature neighbourhoods and ensuring they receive the upgrades they badly need," says Board Chair Dave Colburn. "We felt strongly that prioritizing capital projects based on preservation will identify the urgent need for funding to maintain and upgrade our aging schools in mature neighbourhoods."

The Board also approved changing public board meeting times from the evening to afternoon. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, Board meetings will take place at the Centre for Education, McCauley Chambers, starting at 2 p.m. Opportunities for the public to present at Board will be built into the agendas. The rescheduling of the meetings will be revisited in the spring of 2012.

Also from the board meeting:

  • The Board approved supporting school council membership in the Alberta School Councils Association.
  • The Anti-bullying Advisory Committee will be looking for public input on the definition of bullying. Opportunities on how to provide input will be posted on the district website.

Further information about these agenda items are posted on the Board of Trustees' section of Edmonton Public Schools' website (www.epsb.ca).

Media contact:
Cheryl Oxford, Managing Director, Communications
780-429-8282 (new media relations line for Edmonton Public Schools)