CHML
2/5/2013
A dozen schools have landed on the Hamilton Public Board’s list of facilities in "poor" condition.
That means within five years, the cost to repair the school will exceed 65 per cent of the cost of building a new one in its place.
The schools on the list are Ancaster Senior, C.H. Bray, Dalewood, Elizabeth Bagshaw, Greensville, Highview, Linden Park, Mount Albion, Parkdale, Sherwood, Westmount, Woodward.
Hamilton’s 18 public high schools need 189-million dollars in repairs, that's about 40 per cent of the Ministry of Education’s budget for capital fixes.
Board chair Tim Simmons says they receive 7.5-million dollars a year in capital funding for school renewal, but it is not enough to go around.
For example, Sherwood was in need of 19-million dollars in deferred maintenance in 2010, while Westmount needed more than 16-million dollars worth of repairs.
He adds closing schools like Barton and Hill Park in 2015 will free up some funding, through property sales and reduced operating expenses.
Trustees will receive a long-term plan for school renewal later this month.
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