Lack of funding, energy efficiencies, and the carbon tax were all issues brought the table when Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr sat down with Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS).
On March 28, during their board meeting, NLPS administration and trustees drove home the point that a lack of infrastructure, maintenance, and renewal (IMR) funding from the province is putting a strain on the division.
"We've had declining IMR dollars over the years. We're running on a very lean system in terms of maintenance for 27 facilities stretching between Cold Lake and Lac La Biche. We've had to reduce maintenance staff so these folks are stretched," said board chair Arlene Hrynyk.
The issue was brought up after Cyr asked the board if they've considered applying for the province's solar panel initiative. While pleased to see such a program available to school districts, NLPS expressed that at the time, there are more pressing ways to spend their dollars.
"It'd be a waste of IMR funding. Never mind solar panels, we have schools still worried about leaky windows. There are lots of energy efficiencies we don't have in old buildings that, to me, are more important than solar panels," said trustee Garry Kissel. "Just give us some more IMR money so that we can do some more repairs, because we do have buildings like that."
Trustee Micheal Topylki added that even through a grant program, the division would still have to put some of their own money towards a solar project. Money that could be better spent elsewhere.
"We do have aging infrastructure. You could put solar panels on a building or replace the boilers. I would think the boilers would be more important to have a safe and caring atmosphere for our students."
However, while it's not feasible for existing facilities, solar panels are being incorporated into the plans for any upcoming modernizations or new builds.
"Certainly, any new infrastructure announcements or capital projects we're considering, that's just a status quo, standard item now," noted Hrynyk.
Hearing their concerns, Cyr suggested to the board that they get in contact with the minister, stating NLPS has strong examples to impress upon the need for more IMR funding.
"It would be nice if we could express this to the minister, that we have old buildings that could potentially benefit from retrofits, especially when it comes to windows and boilers. I think that's a very good statement and one that would probably get traction with the minister."
While they haven't looked in-depth at putting up solar panels, secretary-treasurer Paula Elock explained they have changed out lighting to be more energy efficient in two of their schools. The division has submitted an application to the government to see if they qualify for any of the grant funding.
"Because we had already planned and bought at the beginning of the grant period, we're just trying to make sure what we purchased adheres to the grant application. We're in that process right now of making sure we're jumping through the hoops to see if we get reimbursement on it," she said, adding they're also watching to see what the reduction in utility costs will be with the new energy efficient lighting.
When questioned about the impact the carbon levy has had, including the increase as of Jan. 1, 2018, Elock said they're looking at a cost of over $100,000 as a result.
"I think we've been very public about saying school boards would like to see that exemption because it's basically just giving and then taking back," stressed Hrynyk. "I think we all appreciate that we have a responsibility for the environment, but as it relates to budgets and how it impacts us, we're always having those conversations every opportunity we have."
