NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Ministry of Education 2017EDUC0052-000740 Cariboo Chilcotin School District March 23, 2017 Upgrades, buses and learning tools on the way for Cariboo Chilcotin School District

WILLIAMS LAKE ʹStudents in the Cariboo Chilcotin School District will benefit from $1.1 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects, classroom supplies and new school buses, MLA Donna Barnett announced today on behalf of Education Minister .

The district will extend the life of six schools with $261,753 in School Enhancement Program funding to upgrade direct digital control systems and lighting. Every school district will receive a portion of this year͛s $53-million investment, supporting 223 projects.

Under the new Student Learning Grant, the district will receive $231,344 to purchase classroom equipment and supplies such as textbooks, lab equipment and art supplies. The district will begin back-to-school planning with parents and teachers now to determine how best to use the one-time funding to reduce costs for parents and help teachers deliver B.C.͛s new curriculum. This one-time grant is providing school districts with a total of $27.4 million.

Students in the district will also benefit from five 34-76 passenger school buses, thanks to $630,252 in School Bus Replacement Program funding. This year government is investing a total of $9.4 million to purchase about 71 new or replacement buses in 25 districts under the program.

As a result of B.C.͛s strong economy and balanced budget, the Government of is able to support record funding increases for students and B.C.͛s education system. Budget 2017 commits an additional $740 million in operating funds over the next three years. Combined with $400 million in previously announced budget increases, this means an additional $1.1 billion in funding will benefit the K-12 system over the next three years. In addition, Budget 2017 supports $2 billion in capital spending to upgrade or build new schools over the next three years.

Quotes:

Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin ʹ

͞These are important investments, particularly for schools in a rural district like ours. A big advantage of this funding is that parents and teachers will have the opportunity to provide input on how the money is spent on classroom equipment and supplies.͟

Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North ʹ

͞We want the best educational outcomes for our children, and this funding will ensure British Columbia͛s students remain among the best. This funding is targeted to different areas, ensuring students experience well-rounded learning. What a great way to support education in our province.͟

Quick Facts:

‡ In total, government is investing $95 million under these programs to ensure students have the services, environment and tools they need to succeed. Every school district in B.C. will receive a portion of this funding. ‡ Including today͛s announcement, government has invested a total of $153 million under the School Enhancement Program since it was launched in 2014. In total, almost 623 school improvement projects have been approved under the program. ‡ The Student Learning Grant provides one-time funding to help schools and teachers with the cost of classroom tools and equipment to support B.C.͛s new curriculum. Of the $29.4 -million grant, school districts are receiving a total of $27.4 million and independent schools are receiving $2 million. ‡ Each year, government spends about $5 million in Carbon Neutral Capital Program funding for school projects that cut greenhouse gas emissions. ‡ Each year, government provides about $10 million in School Bus Replacement Program funding to help school districts purchase new and replacement school buses to ensure students have access to safe and reliable transportation.

Learn More:

Student Learning Grant: http://ow.ly/ibEm309kJbQ

Carbon Neutral Capital Program: http://ow.ly/7rfi309kMdZ

School Capital Planning: http://ow.ly/slzM309kJwS

B.C.͛s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/

Media Contact: Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect