UPGRADING LA RONGE AREA SCHOOLS AND TEACHERAGES

Released on April 20, 2006

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing approximately $589,000 to improve two schools in the La Ronge area and construct five teacherages in surrounding communities.

"The future of our province will be defined by young people," Learning Minister Deb Higgins said. "We need to access every advantage our society and economy can provide to ensure that they achieve excellence in our education system. Investing in our schools will go a long way toward helping students reach their potential."

The capital projects include:

• The Northern Lights School Division will receive approximately $184,000 for teacherages in Stony Rapids, Pinehouse and Beauval;

• The Northern Lights School Division will receive approximately $190,000 to help fund roof replacements at Charlebois Community High School in Cumberland House and Churchill High School in La Ronge; and

• The Ile a la Crosse School Division will receive approximately $215,000 to build two new teacherages in Ile a la Crosse.

These projects will be cost-shared with the school divisions listed above. The new teacherages will help attract and retain teachers in the North.

The projects are part of the provincial government's investment of $7 million to improve the learning environment in 55 Saskatchewan schools. Including these projects, the total commitment by government to K-12 capital projects this fiscal year is $22 million.

"These projects demonstrate our continued commitment to working with school divisions to improve the teaching and learning environment in Saskatchewan schools," Higgins said. "We are providing enhanced teaching and learning opportunities through high quality programs and services in modern well-equipped facilities."

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For More Information, Contact:

Nelson Wagner Saskatchewan Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-6040