Ontario providing new funding for school boards in red level

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

DURHAM: The Ontario provincial government is making more money available for school boards residing in the red-control zone of the province’s COVID-19 response framework.

On Thursday, November 26th, provincial officials announced the government is “allocating $13.6 million for school boards in Durham, Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo Region in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in these communities.”

A provincial press release explained these funds will go towards “promoting physical distancing with the hiring of more teachers and staff; increasing remote learning supports; and improving cleanliness with the hiring of additional custodians.”

At a press conference on November 26th, Premier Doug Ford stressed the importance of supporting school boards in zones where COVID-19 cases are on the rise.

“The higher transmission rates in some communities pose a real risk. So we have to be even more vigilant than ever,” he said. The Premier added schools in red zones “need extra support to keep students and staff safe.”

Education Minister Stephen Lecce attempted to assure people that “Ontario schools remain safe.”

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