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SD68 Capital Plan heavily linked to unknown future of Rutherford

Oct 3, 2016 | 9:34 AM

NANAIMO — The future of a Nanaimo elementary school originally slated for closure is still very much in limbo, as funds for a planned expansion of a nearby school still haven’t materialized.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools trustees have approved this school year’s capital plan. Board chair Steve Rae describes it as a wish list for provincial funding, led by bringing Rutherford Elementary School seismically up to code.

The north-Nanaimo school is pegged for closure as of next June but that move is conditional on provincial funding to expand Frank J Ney Elementary.

“The will of this board is that Rutherford be the number one priority because if that school stays open, we’re going to have to spend some money and we want financial aid to do that,” says Rae.

If the expansion project at Frank J Ney Elementary is not expected to be finished by Sept. 2018, then trustees are required to re-examine the closure decision of Rutherford.

“If they (Ministry of Education) say to us ‘no we’re not going to fund an addition to Frank Ney Elementary’ okay great, then help us fix Rutherford,” says Rae. “From our perspective we’re just trying to keep up with how they move and check all the boxes.”

Rae says seismically upgrading schools is the Ministry of Education’s number one priority. That’s reflected in the capital plan that has been submitted by SD68.

Other seismic fixes that local trustees are hoping for from the provincial government are at Pleasant Valley, Cedar and Cilaire elementary schools.

Rae says the Ministry hasn’t told them no on funding an expansion to Frank J Ney School, pointing out that while seismic jobs are their number one priority, they are willing to work with districts who have other capital priorities.

The newly approved School District 68 Capital Plan also includes a hope for provincial funding to expand Forest Park and Park Avenue elementary schools, as well as a new district maintenance facility.