Full-day kindergarten construction approved

By: Sarah Armour

Six district schools have been approved to start construction to accommodate full-day kindergarten.
The six schools approved for the construction are Madoc Public School, Bayside Public School, Frankford Public School, Prince of Wales Public School, C.M.L. Snider School and Queen Elizabeth School (Belleville).
The projects are part the Ministry of Education’s new program to introduce early learning programs across the province.
Kerry Donnell, communications officer for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, said one full day kindergarten room will be added at Madoc Public School with the five other sites receiving internal renovations and alterations.
As far as the construction and additions go she said all will include new washrooms, storage facilities and new finishes. A tender for this work in the amount of $937,390 was awarded to K. Knudsen Construction Ltd.
“I was very happy to be chosen, because there was a lot of competition since it is a government granted job,” said Peter Knudsen, owner of K. Knudsen Construction.
He said he expects it will take all summer to finish. He said the first job will start in May at Madoc public school, then the other five will be done throughout the summer. He said he hasn’t heard of any feedback from parents in regards to concerns of the construction affecting current students.
Since five of the six jobs are being done in the summer that there shouldn’t be any issues, said Knudsen.
Full day kindergarten will begin in all elementary schools starting September 2012.