Ops Talk Magazine Fall 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION

Rob Fleming Welcome to the new school year; I hope

Facility Grant by $5 million in 2018 – the

you enjoyed a safe and restful summer,

first increase since 2004.

and are looking forward to another year

We will continue to invest in new schools,

of supporting B.C.’s schools and students.

expansions, seismic upgrades, property

It’s a great time to be a part of B.C.’s edu-

purchases for future schools, and mainte-

cation system, with an additional $1 billion

nance through our three-year $2.7-billion

invested in the system now to support stu-

capital budget. This is the largest capital

dents than there was just three years ago.

plan for education in our province’s histo-

This year, many of you will have con-

ry, and it puts us on a path to deliver bet-

struction projects underway in your school districts thanks to $1.6 billion in approved school capital projects to ensure students, staff, and teachers learn and work in safe, modern, and comfortable environments. This includes a total of 24 projects that will bring 10,000 new student spaces to fast-growing B.C. communities to help get students out of portables and into proper classrooms as quickly as possible. With strong partnerships at the school district level, we’ve been able to approve seismic upgrade projects at twice the rate of the previous government, funding 39 projects that will make more than 23,000 student seats safer in the event of an earthquake. We have relieved the fundraising burden on parents and are investing in the health and well-being of students with the new annual $5 million Playground Equipment Program, funding 101 new playgrounds to

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Ops Talk • Fall 2019

ter education to B.C. students. Students should not have to miss school, extracurricular, sports, or social activities simply because they can’t afford or don’t have access to menstrual products. Under a ministerial order that was amended in April 2019, all B.C. public schools will be required to provide free menstrual products for students in school washrooms by the end of 2019. This is a common-sense step forward that is, frankly, long overdue. We’ve invested $300,000 in start-up funding to support districts as they implement this change in schools, and will continue to work with school districts to make sure students get the access they need. We know there is much more to be done, and we are committed to continue working to give students the world-class education they deserve. As professionals responsible for building and maintaining B.C.’s schools, I invite your feedback and

date. We will continue to invest in mainte-

perspective on how we can work together

nance programs like the School Enhance-

to deliver a better K-12 education system

ment Program, the Carbon Neutral Capi-

for everyone.

tal Program, the Bus Acquisition Program

I wish you all the best for the year ahead.

and the Building Envelope Program, and

I look forward to another year of working

I encourage you to continue to use these

hard to make improvements in our educa-