DSBN upgrading 52 schools this summer

With the school year wrapped up, it’s time for summer upgrades.

Niagara District School Board is renovating 52 schools across the region — including building a school in Fort Erie.

The $20 million worth of renovations, upgrades and construction will include 21 schools in St. Catharines, four schools in Welland and eight in Niagara Falls.

Superintendant of business Stacy Veld said it’s an exciting year for DSBN. The board is building its first secondary school in 40 years. When the school opens in Fort Erie it will be named Greater Fort Erie Secondary School.

Veld said another exciting addition for the school board is the construction of four synthetic sports fields. The board received a report on the benefits of synthetic turf and decided it was a good move. Two schools in St. Catharines will get the new turf: Governor Simcoe and Sir Winston Churchill. Welland Centennial and A.N. Myer Secondary in Niagara Falls are also getting synthetic turf fields.

The board is also focused on becoming more environmentally friendly and reducing carbon emissions. Veld said the board does have Greenhouse Reduction Funds which it is using to upgrade heating and ventilation systems at a number of schools.

She said many schools will also receive lighting upgrades which will be more economical and environmental.

Veld said the schools will all have better Wi-Fi connectivity come September.

She said it will improve class time and computer library access. The decision to improve Wi-Fi was made because technology is becoming more prevalent, especially in student learning.