Our Surrey First mayor and council have finally acknowledged that the over-crowded schools in Surrey are directly related to the rampant development in this city and that they can do something about it.
By referring the controversial development at Panorama Drive and 152 Street back to staff with instructions to “determine how the project can be phased and structured to coincide with new school construction in South Newton,” they have begun the process that should have been done many years ago.
Coun. Judy Villeneuve acknowledged that over-crowded schools are not a new problem in Surrey. Let’s hope this is not a one-time realization by the mayor and council. Working constructively with the Surrey School District on an ongoing basis is key to the city that boasts “the future lives here.”
The city and school district need to work together to help the minister of education and minister of finance understand the unique circumstances of the Surrey School District when it comes to capital funding.
The minister of finance says he wants Lower Mainland cities to continue to densify in order to keep house prices steady.
However, the ministry of finance also holds the purse strings when it comes to funding new schools, so if he wants Surrey to continue to densify, he needs to be proactive in funding new schools in our city.
Charlene Dobie