A war of words has erupted between the state government and South West Coast MP Roma Britnell.
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Education Minister James Merlino says the new Warrnambool Special Developmental School has been fully funded, and is on track, as it is set to launch a campaign on Wednesday night to raise $1 million for extra equipment and resources.
Mrs Britnell claimed in Parliament this week budget papers showed money allocated to the new school remained unspent and the school shouldn’t have to fund-raise for equipment.
Mr Merlino said Mrs Britnell had “failed” to read the budget papers correctly, and the school was “fully funded”.
Mrs Britnell said the project was allocated $14.6 million, but the budget papers showed only $11.5 million was expected to be spent this financial year, leaving just over $3 million.
“I understand the building isn’t finished yet and contingencies need to be in place, but there is money left over from the completed part of the project – buying the land,” she said.
Mr Merlino said the new school was progressing well at the Wollaston Road site.
“We have fully funded the new school and it is being delivered to schedule,” he said.
“It’s not surprising the Member for South West Coast has failed to understand budget papers properly, given the Liberal Nationals didn’t upgrade any Warrnambool schools when in government.
“I am advised that as part of the new school construction project, both landscaping and playground equipment are provided for in the budget.
“The school community is fundraising for some additional equipment on top of what is normally included with new and upgraded special schools.
“This is common practise for school communities who want additional items.”
School council president Jay Everall said the difference in size between the current SDS site on Hyland Street to the new school was “remarkable”.
“As a school council we want to make sure the kids have the best standard of things we see they can have,” he said.
“We have an understanding of the essential stuff that is going to be included, but we want to provide things that will take their education to the next level.”
He said the fund-raising money would go towards items such as hoists and change tables.
”We have put a a figure on it, but it is just an example,” he said.
“We have a five year-plus long term goal of really expanding the site to include all sorts of things. Money raised will be utilised for quite a number of things. The end goal is really to provide the students with what they deserve.”
He said all schools held fund-raisers.
“We don't really have the manpower or ability to have fetes or things on a grand scale, so this is what we feel will provide us with the ability to get the community involved,” he said.