Schools

fast-track funding for the projects, and board chair Joanne Weston is expected to raise the issue in her next meeting with other board chairs from across the province.

“This is really, really causing problems,” board vice-chair Kathleen Woodcock said on Monday. “We’re trying to adequately build great facilities, and we’re trying to get this done, and it just isn’t happening.”

The province has approved more than $14 billion over 10 years to support school construction, repair and renewal across Ontario.

Funding for school construction projects is determined by the ministry’s construction benchmarks, which consider the size, grade levels and location of the project.

For the 2022-23 year, the government increased the construction cost benchmark by 15 per cent. Since 2018, the benchmark has increased by 25 per cent.

The ministry is aware of current market conditions, said Grace Lee, spokesperson for Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

If project costs exceed the allocated funding, she said, the ministry reviews the projects with the school board on an individual basis and works with the board to ensure the school meets the needs of the community.

“The Ministry of Education is continually working with Waterloo Region District School Board to ensure it meets the needs of the community and the new schools are constructed as quickly as possible.”

The province has approved more than $14 billion over 10 years to support school construction, repair and renewal across Ontario