?These schools now have the go-ahead to start work to redress their lack of space or need for new building,?
By Tim O?Connell
A local school is still reeling from the news they are to receive a generous Government funding grant, with the money coming just as the classrooms look close to capacity. Education Minister Anne Tolley made the announcement on March 11 of the first allocation of property funding to schools under the government?s new infrastructure package. Among the 74 schools nationwide that will reap the benefits of the $30 million property funding scheme is our own Maungaraki School. ?These schools now have the go-ahead to start work to redress their lack of space or need for new building,? Ms Tolley said. The news was still sinking in at when the Petone Herald contacted Principal Carmen Jennings last week. While the $140,266 had been earmarked for non-teaching and administration buildings, any specific plans were yet to be discussed by staff and the Board of Trustees. ?It?s still too early to decide at this stage-we?ve only just found out like you have,? she said. ?The first we heard about it was in a letter from Anne Tolley, then the next day I started reading about it in press releases and in the media.? Mrs Jennings said the school had been in line for the grant on the basis that they were a growing school that was deficient in space to cope with the expected increase. At present, the school has 258 pupils from new entrants to Year 8-up slightly on the numbers at the end of 2008. Mrs Jennings said this increase is indicative of the growth being experienced at Maungaraki School. ?Normally, you?d expect a drop in numbers when you lose your Year 8 students to college, so we?re definitely growing.? Despite the large amount given to Maungaraki School, Mrs Jennings said there was always room for plenty more funding of the education sector in general.
