The competition for limited cash has the Vernon School District switching strategies for capital dollars.
Trustees agreed Wednesday to change the replacement and expansion projects at Silver Star and BX elementary schools to expansion projects.
“Money is scarce provincially and our projects will be competing with projects from across the province,” said Sterling Olson, secretary-treasurer.
Olson believes an expansion project is likely to get support from the Ministry of Education than replacing a school.
“We are trying to position ourselves to look more eligible for capital funding,” he said.
As part of the district’s five-year capital plan, Hillview Elementary would be added as an expansion project while Alexis Park Elementary would switch from a three to four classroom addition.
The projects proceeding will ultimately depend on the availability of funding from the ministry.
The five-year capital plan will be presented to the board June 21, but it’s already known that two projects at the administration complex on 15th Street won’t be proceeding.
Trustees have shot down a $610,000 bus wash addition and an $850,000 bus hoist addition in the transportation area.
Trustee Robert Lee insisted he couldn’t support those projects because the district’s primary focus should be upgrading the board office.
“We’re taking on too much at this time,” he said.
