SOUTHEAST SASK. — With no emergency funding called upon and with an existing budget of $2.74 million, Andy Dobson, manager of transportation and facilities for the South East Cornerstone Public School Division (SECPSD) registered his bi-annual report to the board members on June 19 during their open business session.
“We try to keep a surplus of about $200,000,” he said, “it would be better at around $350,000 though.”
Dobson presented the amended preventive maintenance and repair plan to the board before it was forwarded to the Ministry of Education for final approval.
One of the largest projects being proposed is the replacement of two large roofing segments at the Estevan Comprehensive School at a cost of $700,000.
Other projects will include electrical upgrades in some schools that are in need of more outlets to conduct their lessons and classes. Those will come with a price tag of around $370,000, he estimated based on engineering reports and inspections.
Division-wide heating and cooling repairs and replacements are expected to be just under the $1 million mark while division-side facility repairs and upgrades will carry a price tag of around $570,500, he said in the report.
Besides the roofing, ECS also requires a lighting upgrade to LED systems that will cost about $200,000 while the new requirement to fly the Saskatchewan flag on school properties will require an additional 17 flagpoles around the division at a cost of about $68,000.
With all these items on the agenda, Dobson said there is a projected deficit of $320,500 with the deficit being met using accumulated surpluses from prior years.
There are required plans for the next three school years, all arriving with a funding allocation of not more than $2.74 million.
These future projects will include Lampman roof replacements at $550,000, ECS electrical upgrades and fan replacements at a cost of $775,000 in the 2026-27 school year.
Other division-wide projects connected to repairs and replacements could leave the division with another PMR deficit of about $10,000 he said.
The plans for 2027-28 will include a heating system upgrade at the Yellow Grass School at a cost of $250,000 and new shingles for that school at a further cost of $50,000.
The Radville School will also require a section of roof replacement at an estimated cost of $400,000.
Weldon School in Bienfait is scheduled for roof repairs at a $250,000 price tag and roofing shingles to protect the Pangman School gymnasium will be in the $80,000 range, he predicted.
In total, Dobson suggested the 2027-28 projects will come in about $10,000 under budget with that surplus to be maintained for emergent situations.
Dobson fielded a few queries from board members during the presentation and was then thanked by board chairwoman Audrey Trombley for his input and time in preparing the documents.
