Community News

SCHOOL REPAIRS A BALLOT BOX ISSUE

MARK NEWMAN mnewman@hamiltonnews.com

Jolene Andrews is hoping the political parties don't forget about the state of neighbourhood schools on the Mountain during the provincial election campaign.

"Everybody starts at school," said the chair of the George L. Armstrong Elementary School Council. "If you want our education system to be successful, you have to set the kids up for success."

Andrews noted the Concession Street school, built in 1929, needs some upgrades and improvements.

"The No. 1 thing would be some sort of air conditioning," An

drews said. "I remember a couple of years ago one of my kids was on the third floor and it was so hot that they had to transfer the entire classroom into the (first floor) gym."

Andrews said working in a hot classroom "doesn't make anybody productive."

The old school could also use a new coat of paint, she added.

"(My daughter says) it's so drab, it makes her feel anxious, it's beige and yellow," Andrews said. "Give (the children) something."

Over on the west Mountain R.A. Riddell School parent Brooke Beney said the Cranbrook drive elementary school needs some work.

"I would say physical accessibility is an issue at Riddell," Beney said. "The school could use an elevator."

Beney added some outdoor work is also needed.

"The blacktop needs to be repaired, there's general repairs that aren't happening that all schools deserve to have," she said. "I think the community would agree there needs to be investment in our school for sure."

In addition to physical improvements, Beney would like to see more provincial support for educational assistants and child and youth workers in the schools."

"I do not support lower class sizes," Beney said. "I do support massive dollars to support the diversity we have in the classrooms."

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board vice chair Becky Buck agrees many of their schools need repairs and upgrades and the board does minor repair work to keep the schools "in good standing."

But she noted major repairs and upgrades often come out of the accommodation review process which the province has put on hold.

"(The process) helps us look for efficiencies," said Buck who is optimistic the four-year moratorium will be lifted following the June 2 election.

"I am hopeful which ever government gets in my hope is they will see this as a priority," she said.

Buck noted Mountain schools that have not gone through the accommodation review process require repairs and upgrades including

Buchanan Park, Westwood, Westview, James MacDonald, Gordon Price, Chedoke, Holbrook, Mountview and R.A. Riddell.

Over at the HamiltonWentworth Catholic District School Board, chair Pat Daly noted the board closed and consolidated a number of schools in the late 90s and early 2000s and that regular maintenance has been a historical priority.

But even with all that more works needs to be done. "With over 60 buildings there are always need for repairs," said Daly who pointed to St. Peter, St. Paul, Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Lourdes and Sacred Heart schools as needing attention. "They

are the oldest (Catholic schools) on the Mountain and most in need of general maintenance."

Daly noted the board is looking to build a new school to replace St. Peter and St. Paul.

"It's more cost-effective than improvements to the existing building," he said. "I absolutely believe whoever gets elected should continue to ensure there are sufficient funds for capital improvements and renewals to school buildings."

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With a provincial election looming, Hamilton Community News wanted to look at the state of some of the schools on Hamilton Mountain.

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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