By Derek Schlennstedt
Both sides of state politics have pledged millions in funding to improve facilities at the Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School.
On 9 October Labor announced that if re-elected they will invest $3.4 million to refurbish and modernise facilities at the school, including new administration facilities.
Only a day later and Mount Evelyn Liberal candidate, Bridget Vallence announced that an elected Liberal Nationals Government will invest $5 million towards upgrading the Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School, providing students and staff with an improved and modern education facility.
Both parties visited the school only hours apart on 10 October and spoke about the mould which had overrun parts of the school.
Principal Janet Taylor welcomed the funding and was relieved that the school could finally address the deteriorating school facilities.“We’ve got a decommissioned admin building, which we anticipated being replaced with a brick and mortar building through a capital works program funding,” Ms Taylor said.
“Unfortunately all the tenders came in well over the budget so it’s been condemned.”
It’s closed because of the high mould and mildew count; it’s a health and safety issue.”
Currently the school is compromised entirely of portable classrooms and one room – the old administration building – is closed due to unsafe quantities of mould.
Ms Taylor said that the portable classrooms have hindered the school’s ability to move forwards.
“We’ve made the very best of what we’ve got, but it doesn’t get away from the fact that our heating and cooling bills are enormous,” she said.
“Transitions between rooms in the hot and cold weather mean you have student and staff exposed to the elements and the maintenance is phenomenal.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having relocatables as part of your school but every school is entitled to bricks and mortar core buildings and we have none of that.”
She said she was relieved that the school had received bipartisan funding and could now begin to plan for the future.
Mount Evelyn Liberal candidate, Bridget Vallence and Shadow Minister for Education Tim Smith visited the site and said the $5 million pledge would help to provide decent classrooms and amenities and would replace the old portable classrooms “that were well past their use by date, with asbestos, rotting beams and flooring that makes the school difficult to heat and cool.”
“For too long the Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School has been ignored and left without sufficient funding by James Merlino and the Labor Government,” Ms Vallence said.
“We have listened to the school community, and I’m thrilled that the children and teachers will finally receive the upgraded facilities they so desperately need.”
Minister for education James Merlino also visited the school and said that the $3.4 million investment would build on the $500,000 that was already provided by the Andrews Labor Government for upgrades in 2017.
“No matter where you live in Victoria, every student deserves to have a great school – a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will make sure they do.”
