School’s future looks bright

Ken Johnston

Rainy River High School received a big boost of confidence last week when the board of education voted to spend $1 million on the facility.
RRHS will receive the lion’s share of a $2.1 million year end surplus the board had last year to replace the school’s electric heating system with a natural gas system that will also put air conditioning into the bulk of the school.
$800,000 is coming from the surplus and $200,000 from regular budgeting. School trustee for Rainy River, Ron McAlister, was very excited about the news last week. With declining enrollments in recent years, the future of the school has been an issue and even came out in last year’s election debates. “This puts those fears to rest,” said McAlister. However, he did say that if enrollments continue to drop, “The board may move all kids (elementary and secondary) into one school.” That school would likely be RRHS.
The surplus was created when the board had passed its budget last spring and then the government made some changes to funding that put the board in a surplus position. The board elected to reinvest the money into the system.
Other projects will include $250,000 in renovations to Donald Young School in Emo, $100,000 for transportation, $200,000 for technology in schools, $300,000 for school instruction supplies/texts, $125,000 for support for achievement schools, $180,000 for maintenance facility renovations, $50,000 for maintenance repairs, $56,000 for innovation projects, $30,000 for aboriginal success and $20,000 in special ed. training.
RRHS principal Bob McGreevy said that the project to replace the heating system at the school has been in the works for some time. “Originally we thought we would do this over two years,” said McGreevy, who is thrilled it will all take place this year.
McGreevy said the board has been looking at the school’s heating and ventilation systems. “At present there is no air intake or exhaust into the school.” The new system would draw fresh air into the school to be heated or cooled (depending on the season) and exhaust stale air.
Almost every room in the school, including the gymnasium, will be air conditioned and heated by the new system. Hence there is going to have to be a lot of ductwork done over the summer. “The nice thing is events like graduation will now not have to be so hot,” said McGreevy.
The work will begin a few days after school is out and is scheduled to be done before the new year begins in September.
McGreevy echoed McAlister’s remarks saying, “This investment does reassure the community about the future of the school. It is also a positive sign that the board wants this school to be as good as it possibly can be.”