Fourteen schools in the Richmond School District are at high risk of serious damage during an earthquake, according
to the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists as stated in a recent report to Richmond's Board of Education.
"It's of great concern, so we'll be putting together our plan and approaching the Ministry of
Education," said board chair Donna Sargent.
The district's director of facilities, Clive Mason, does, however, note that no children are presently at risk.
"Identification of a facility as a high seismic risk school does not mean that the building is structurally unsafe under regular conditions.
"It does mean that the facility is at a higher risk of structural failure from the shaking effects of an earthquake, and that it may be unusable following seismic activity," wrote Mason.
The assessments rated schools into five categories based on highest priority.
The following elementary schools were rated "High 1" priority: Gilmour, Grauer, Bridge, Woodward, Sea Island, Lee, Thompson, Steves, Blundell, Whiteside, Quilchena, Cook and Maple Lane. The only high school in the same category was Hugh Boyd secondary.
A total of 30 schools were identified as requiring some seismic upgrades.
The Ministry of Education has committed to funding the H1 schools first. To date, only Gilmour has received funding to move ahead with upgrades. McKay, Kilgour, Tomsett, Ferris, Dixon, Errington and Mitchell elementaries were categorized as "High 2" priority, while Westwind, Diefenbaker, Tait and McKinney elementary schools were identified as "High 3" priority.
Mason noted a plan is still required and "essential" to moving forward with the upgrades. The district must now apply for funding the upgrades as part of its five-year capital plan.
Sargent said there has been no change in position from the ministry after it called on districts to help pay for upgrades. Sargent said there is no money available as any surpluses the district has must pay for other capital projects.
This week, the board officially dipped into a $6 million surplus account to the tune of $1.3 million to help balance its budget, which had a deficit of $2.5 million. It also cut 10 education assistant positions.
