Minister of Trade and Export Development and Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison. (submitted photo/Adam Nelson)

By Nicole Reis

School Funding

Meadow Lake MLA reacts to return-to-school plan

Aug 21, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison says he is pleased with the provincial government’s announcement on Monday to push back the start date for classes from Sept. 1 to Sept. 8, to provide $40 million more funding to school divisions as they prepare for students to return to class, and increased testing.

“The allocation of $40 million from the $200 million provincial COVID-19 contingency fund for additional costs are there to ensure the safety of students and staff through the pandemic,” Harrison said in a statement issued to meadowlakeNOW.

“There is $20 million for staffing and sanitation supplies, $10 million for non-classroom options like distance learning to help ensure immunocompromised and medically fragile students have continuous access to learning, and $10 million for the Ministry of Education to centrally procure masks, PPE and other supplies for school divisions,” Harrison said.

These funds will provide schools divisions with the resources they need to keep staff and students safe and provide support for students that cannot return to the classroom, Harrison said.

The $40 million in additional funding will match and complement the $40 million school divisions realized in savings, making a total of $80 million available to school divisions.

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The premier said some specific schools could receive additional funding to support spreading students out more, depending on circumstances. However, most school divisions are still being left to decide on their own as to what COVID-19 protocols will be put in place.

Moe said the government and public officials have “opened a door,” through advice on masks and student distribution.

The province is encouraging all teachers and staff members to be tested before the school year as well as throughout the year. According to the government, “priority access to testing will be established for teachers and school staff in the coming days, with referrals available through 811.”

Voluntary tests also will be offered in schools as part of the province’s increased testing. Parents can give permission for their child to be randomly tested for COVID-19 at school.

Most school divisions are still being left to decide on their own as to what COVID-19 protocols will be put in place.

Northwest School Division 203 was contacted for comment though did not respond to requests.

With files from CKOM

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722