The Lakehead Public School Board is trying to clarify what it believes are misconceptions about the cost of building the new elementary school on Churchill Drive.
Lakehead Public Schools Business Superintendent David Wright explains the cost to build the facility went up from $20 million to $30 million not because of a budget increase, but a funding shortfall from the province.
Wright tells us the Ministry of Education originally funded the construction work at $20 million, but after the board did its own analysis, it discovered the extent of the foundation work required.
When presented with this information, Wright says the ministry indicated “okay, we’ll agree to fund the extensive foundation work” bringing the total cost to about $30 million.
The board official says it’s wrong for anyone to believe there is mismanagement on the board’s part on this project.