'Exciting day' for parents, teachers learning about new schools planned for P.E.I.
CBC
Parents, teachers and municipal leaders say they're excited about the recent revelation that the provincial government plans to build three new schools on Prince Edward Island.
Finance Minister Jill Burridge tabled her 2025-2026 capital budget on Thursday, which includes plans for a new junior high school in Stratford and two new elementary schools in Charlottetown, as well as a replacement for an existing school in Georgetown.
"It certainly is an exciting day to be a Stratford parent," said Emma Ross, who has two children attending Stratford Elementary. She is also with Stratford Elementary's Home and School group.
"We do have 704 students here at Stratford Elementary, so it does logically make sense that they do have a junior high within our community, and our students can live and learn within our community," Ross said. "(It's) badly needed."
The government said work will begin on the new Stratford junior high school in 2026-2027, two years earlier than initially announced. The province is budgeting $70.4 million over the next five years for the project.
"I'm ecstatic," said Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden. "It's long overdue. We really need it badly. A junior high will complete the picture for our educational infrastructure for the time being, and it will meet the needs hopefully into the future."
Construction is already underway on a new $79M high school in Stratford, part of a new community campus which will include a wellness centre.
"It's going to make us more of a complete town," Ogden said of the addition of a junior high, something the town has wanted a firm commitment on for years.
Burridge was a member of Stratford council when the idea of a junior high was first conceived.
Currently, students from the Stratford area travel over the Hillsborough bridge to the 50-year-old Stonepark Intermediate in Sherwood, which is at capacity.
"I think the students do get more attention and more needs met when they do go to a school that isn't busting at capacity," said Ross.
The new elementary schools, one in East Royalty and one in West Royalty, will be built close to existing elementary schools. Each will cost more than $60 million and have room for 650 students.
The East Royalty school will be completed in 2028-2029, when work will begin on the one in West Royalty.
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