The following statement was released by Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman:
The Ontario government is investing $17.6 million to build North Woodstock Elementary School to help working families in North Woodstock. This investment in Thames Valley District School Board, announced by Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford, will support the creation of 660 student spaces as part of the Ford Government's commitment to building modern, accessible, and technologically connected schools for Ontario youth."The new North Woodstock Elementary School is great news for our community," said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. "This investment will provide choice and flexibility for families and new opportunities for the children of North Woodstock."
The project is part of a provincewide investment of more than $600 million to support new school and child care spaces that were recently announced by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. The overall investment will support 78 school and child care related projects. As part of this investment, the province dedicated more than $565 million to create more than 19,700 new student spaces and 1,500 child care spaces at schools across the province.
"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made safer schools a priority, which is why we continue to invest in modern and accessible learning spaces with improved ventilation," said Minister Lecce. "This investment is part of our multi-year plan to build, expand, and update schools and child care spaces across our province. It will leave a lasting legacy that benefits working families for years to come."
Highlights of the North Woodstock Elementary School project include:
- 660 elementary student spaces.
- 88 new licensed child care spaces.
- 5 new child care rooms.
"This is a major milestone for the community, and we are very excited to support Woodstock with a much needed 660 pupil place elementary school and licensed child care facility. We are pleased that the province is committed to supporting our students and the rapidly growing needs of our municipal partners. This is great news for students, families and community members in Oxford County," said Mark Fisher, TVDSB Director of Education.
The Ontario government has allocated more than $600 million to support ventilation improvements in schools across Ontario as part of its plans for a safer return to school. The Thames Valley DSB has benefited from an investment of $7.3 million for ventilation improvements and has over 1,400 HEPA filter units in place.
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
