Thornhill's E.J. Sand Public School reopens thanks to provincial commitment to revitalize old schools

For the 2023-2024 school year, the Ontario government is providing school boards with about $1.4B in funding

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 20, 2023

A local Thornhill school has been upgraded.

On Sept. 5. MPP for Thornhill Laura Smith announced the reopening of the E.J. Sand Public School and that it would be welcoming students for the 2023-2024 school year.

The province of Ontario says it is aiming to invest $15 billion to support school construction, repair, and renewal over 10 years.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the province is providing school boards with about $1.4 billion in funding to revitalize and renew aged building systems and components

“The completion of the new E.J. Sand Public School in Thornhill is great news for our community,” said Smith.

Back in April, the Ontario government passed the controversial Bill 98, the Better Schools and Students Outcome Act, 2023.
The province argues that the act will “ensure that school board capital assets are used effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of growing communities” and that it will help ensure schools are modernized more efficiently.

However, not everyone welcomed the bill with open arms. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) put out a public statement decrying the move.

Part of the statement reads:

“Granting the Ministry of Education unlimited authority to establish provincial priorities for the public education system without the obligation to meaningfully consult with stakeholders is not only short-sighted, but will be incredibly damaging to Ontario’s public education system.”

“The new E.J. Sand Public School will be a valuable asset to the Thornhill community by providing high-quality education and child-care services to students and families,” said Rony Lynn, chair of York Region District School Board in a media release.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce reiterated that the Better Schools and Students Outcome Act, 2023 is meant to reduce red tape and modernize school buildings.

“We are determined to build schools and expansions faster, part of our commitment to modernize schools in fast-growing communities,” said Lecce in a media release.