By Grant Warkentin
Nearly two years since a catastrophic fire damaged Carihi Secondary, the province finally appears poised to pay for the repairs.
The November 2024 fire, which started from spontaneous combustion, destroyed kitchens, all the band instruments, and part of the gym. Students were forced to take some of their classes off site while basic repairs covered by insurance were completed. But since then, the school district has been waiting on the provincial government’s timeline, while the partially completed gym wall remains wrapped in Tyvek plastic.
“That delay seems quite ridiculous,” said trustee Kat Eddy at the board’s April 14 public meeting.
Secretary-treasurer Kevin Patrick said the district is now waiting on the provincial Ministry of Infrastructure to commit to a dollar figure for the repair job. There’s no indication how much money will be coming, let alone if there will be enough to replace the collection of instruments assembled over decades.
“The Carihi fire replacement is approved in principle, what we are waiting [for] now the final amount,” he said.
The district can’t even put the job out for contractors to bid until it knows how much money will be available to do the repairs. Patrick was hopeful information would be forthcoming in the next few weeks, so the repair work can be done during summer break.
Handful of capital projects funded
The district did get confirmation about funding for three capital projects, fewer than what’s usually approved for School District 72.
There’s $900,000 to partially repair the roof at the Robron Centre, but it won’t be enough to cover the full costs of the job. There’s also $500,000 for a new boiler at Timberline, and funding for school food programs to purchase countertop ovens, fridges, and other needs to keep the programs going.
No new Cedar school coming anytime soon
Despite a personal promise from Premier David Eby during a campaign stop at Cedar School last year during the lead-up to the provincial election, there’s no funding for a replacement school, and no indication if there ever will be.
“The board’s other top capital project request – construction of a new Cedar Elementary School – has also not been approved,” says a statement from the district.
Looming deficit causing concerns
Trustees again heard how the district is facing a $1.8 million deficit shortfall mostly based on inflation, and increases in wages and benefits for teachers and staff that haven’t been fully costed out yet. The district will have to absorb the costs, but there’s no additional money coming from the province.
The board has “serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of funding for public education.”
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