‘Aggressive’ planning underway for new classroom space

Planning in underway to add new classroom spaces in two P.E.I. schools, with construction set to begin this spring.

Educators, parents and transportation officials are meeting with architects — Chandler Architecture Inc. — to help shape the design of the additions to Stratford Elementary and L.M. Montgomery schools.

Government hopes the renovations will address overcrowding issues at the schools and allow for future growth in the communities. The province is taking an aggressive approach to planning so that construction can begin in early spring, with the schools ready for students in September 2019.

Stratford’s $6.6-million addition will include 14 classrooms that will be used by students who will transfer over from Glen Stewart Elementary, provide room for future growth and allow specialty teaching areas to be used for their intended purpose.

The renovations include a large activity room, which will be half the size of a school gym and available for community use, and a new specialty teaching areas such as new EAL, guidance and resource rooms, teacher planning centres, student breakout rooms, washrooms and storage areas.

L.M. Montgomery’s $5.3-million project includes the addition of 10 classrooms. With the removal of two mobile classrooms, there will be a net gain of eight classrooms and room for growth of 160 students.

The new wing will also include a large activity room, new teacher planning centre, breakout meeting rooms, new lockers, lighting, ventilation upgrades, a new gym floor, custodial space, roof repairs, reinforced sound systems for assistive hearing and extension of the soccer field and parking area.

Additions to both schools will have spacious classrooms designed to accommodate new teaching methods and the use of technology.

Funding for the projects is included in government’s fiveyear capital plan to address overcrowding at the schools. The decision was based on current needs, public input to the School Review and recommendations of the Public Schools Branch board of directors.

The basic design could be finalized over the next few weeks, allowing for tenders to be issued and for construction to begin in early spring. The detailed design will be developed over the next several months.