TWO WEYBURN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS FINISH UPGRADES

The students and staff of St. Michael Junior High School officially welcomed the Grades 5 and 6 students originally from St. Dominic Savio School at an assembly today. Learning Minister Deb Higgins was on hand to highlight the Government of Saskatchewan's contribution of $1.7 million for school improvement projects at both St. Michael Junior High School and Weyburn Junior High School.

St. Michael Junior High School has received a total of $1.24 million in government support over two years for the construction of seven new classrooms, washrooms, change area, staff room and other renovations to accommodate the new students. The final department payment of approximately $455,000 is now being provided. The renovation was cost shared with the Holy Family Roman Catholic School Division with a total approved cost of almost $3.42 million.

"We believe that a big part of meeting our commitment to make Saskatchewan the best place to live, work and raise a family is ensuring that all students benefit from modern and well-equipped facilities," Higgins said. "This renovation helped to create more room at the elementary school and create a high quality learning environment for all grades at the junior high school."

The Weyburn Junior High School also saw a significant renovation this year with exterior wall, window and partial roof replacement completed in August 2007. The renovation is being cost shared with Southeast Cornerstone School Division with a government contribution of $456,000 and the total approved project cost estimated at $733,000.

The projects announced today are part of the Government of Saskatchewan's investment of approximately $6.1 million to improve the learning environment in 34 Saskatchewan schools. These include improvements such as roof replacement and restoration, renovations, additions, mechanical system upgrades and building system upgrades. Funding for these projects will be cost-shared with school divisions across the province. Over the past five years the province has invested $169.2 million in capital improvements to preK-12 schools.

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For more information, contact:

Margaret Ball
Learning
Regina
Phone: 306 787-5631
Email: mball@sasked.gov.sk.ca