On Monday, the Ministry of Education announced the provision of capital funding for two new schools: a $75.9 million investment in capital funding to build a new junior kindergarten to grade 12 school in Newcastle, and $24.2 million investment for a new elementary school in Millbrook.
Funding for new schools is granted by the provincial government through an established application process within the Ministry of Education. As part of this process, this past fall, the board submitted five priority requests for funding, with the first priority being applications to secure funding to address the accommodation needs of students in the Newcastle community. The second priority area was for a new elementary school in Millbrook.
“Schools are the hubs of the communities we serve, and we believe in the importance of wrap-around services for students and families, from preschool to graduation. We extend our sincere thanks to the provincial government for these capital investments to bring that vision to life in these communities,” says Jaine Klassen Jeninga, chairperson of the board.
In Newcastle, the announced funding will make possible the building of a new junior kindergarten (JK) to grade 12, 1,445- pupil-place school, plus a three-room childcare centre in the Foster Northwest neighbourhood at Grady Drive and Ruddell Road in Newcastle.
In the Township of Cavan Monaghan, the $24.2 million in funding will support a new elementary school with 481 elementary student spaces and 73 licensed child care spaces in the Towerhill North neighbourhood.
