Another Richmond elementary school will get modular classrooms to deal with the growing student population in city centre.
Tomsett elementary, at Odlin and No. 4 roads, will get nine prefabricated modular classrooms to the tune of $13.5 million to deal with its growing school population/ This was approved by the Ministry of Education and Child Care on Sept. 10.
But Trustee Donna Sargent called modular classrooms a "band-aid" solution and said it will be a "celebratory moment" when students and staff are no longer in "a box."
"I'm thankful, but the ministry needs to look at what a school looks like and how it should be supportive," said Sargent.
"Hopefully in future years, there will be a proper addition to this school."
R.C. Talmey elementary was approved earlier this year for six prefabricated modular classrooms at the price of $9 million.
Student enrolment at the four city centre elementary schools grew by 15 per cent in 2022 and 12 per cent in 2023, according to a school district staff report.
Richmond City Centre currently houses four elementary schools: Brighouse, Cook, Talmey and Tomsett.
With the growing population in the city, the Richmond Board of Education has continuously been asking for two new city centre schools.
"The momentum of the growth is expected to persist due to the concentration of approximately 85% of Richmond’s recently approved and active housing development applications in the City Centre area," reads the report.
"Significant space pressure due to enrolment growth is anticipated at these schools for the foreseeable future."
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