Investment will create modern classrooms for 435 students and 127 childcare spaces
BROCKVILLE — Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, joined Augusta Township Mayor Jeff Shaver, Prescott Mayor Gauri Shankar, officials from the Upper Canada District School Board, and Shannon Brown, Manager of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Children’s Services, today to announce the province is investing $28.1 million to build a new school in Augusta Township.
The school will replace Maynard Public School and Wellington Elementary School, creating modern classrooms for 435 students while also providing 127 licensed childcare spaces for local families.
The announcement is part of the government’s continuing work to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario by investing $1.6 billion in 79 school construction projects across Ontario. The investments will support growing communities by creating over 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed childcare spaces so students have the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers.
“I was pleased to advocate for this project after the councils of the Township of Augusta and the Town of Prescott identified a new school as a community priority. This is an investment by our government in the future of our children, and it is great news for students, families, and educators in these growing communities,” said MPP Clark. “We’re creating modern learning spaces where students can be inspired and challenged to reach their full potential.”
“This is an exciting project for the UCDSB. There has been an incredible amount of collaboration between the municipalities, mayors, and many levels of government. This is truly a team effort, and we are thankful to MPP Steve Clark for continuing to make this new school a priority, and for Minister Calandra for seeing our vision and approving the funding,” said UCDSB Chief Executive Officer Ron Ferguson. “This new space will give our students, and generations of students to come, a dynamic space to learn and grow.”
“This project has been on the horizon for a while, and we are ecstatic that all the pieces are coming together and we are able to move forward. This is excellent news for our families that will be served by the brand-new school,” said Jamie Schoular, Chair of the UCDSB.
“This investment by the Ministry of Education and the Upper Canada District School Board is a foundation of support in growth for both Augusta and Prescott’s communities. The replacement of two 1950s schools with a new, modern learning environment, plus urgently needed childcare spaces, will be greatly accepted by the residents of both communities,” said Jeff Shaver, Mayor of Augusta Township. “This was made possible by the cooperation of both municipal councils, a forward-looking district school board, and with diligent assistance by our MPP, Steve Clark.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for the students and families of Prescott to learn and grow in a new, modern, state-of-the-art learning environment. The Township of Augusta and Town of Prescott are once again showing their commitment through partnership to make a new school serving our residents a reality,” said Gauri Shankar, Mayor of the Town of Prescott. “We would like to thank the Upper Canada District School Board and the Province of Ontario for making this possible, and we look forward to continuing to work with our neighbours to benefit all residents in the South Grenville area.”
“The inclusion of licensed childcare within this new school reflects a shared commitment to creating a seamless continuum of learning and care for children and families. By integrating early learning and education in one location, we are improving access to quality services and helping build the foundation children need to thrive,” said Shannon Brown, Manager of Children’s Services, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
The Capital Priorities program supports the construction of new schools, permanent additions, renovations, and school purchases. This year’s funding will support a combination of new school builds, expansions, and retrofits across the province and is part of Ontario’s commitment to provide more than $22 billion over 10 years to support new school construction, renewal, and improvements.
“Student success starts with having the right environment to learn,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We’re building the schools students need, and we’re making sure they get built quickly and on schedule. With stronger oversight and accountability through the Putting Student Achievement First Act, we are ensuring projects are delivered on time and focused on students, so that parents can be confident their children have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”
“As part of our government’s historic capital plan, we are investing $236 billion in critical infrastructure to build and protect Ontario,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Through these investments, we are helping deliver new and improved schools across the province to support students, local jobs and growing communities.”
Pending approval from the Ministry of Education and conditional land requirements that need to be met, the planned location of the new school will be near the Alaine Chartrand Community Centre in Prescott, on land that is currently owned by Augusta Township. The projected opening date for the school is September 2030, with construction projected to start in March 2028.
QUICK FACTS
- In addition to the 67 projects approved for $1.3 billion in provincial support in 2025-26, there is also an additional close to $300 million in funding provided through the 2026-27 program to approve 12 priority projects that are ready to proceed.
- For the 2025-26 school year, the Ministry of Education continues to provide $1.4 billion to school boards to renew and improve schools.
- In April 2026, Ontario introduced the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, that brings greater accountability, consistency and modernization to Ontario’s education system through new and enhanced measures to further support student success. The legislation also provides the ministry with stronger tools to intervene in the capital planning process when boards are unable to deliver projects in the best interests of students and educators.
At this morning’s announcement with (L to R): Shannon Brown, Manager of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Children’s Services – Gauri Shankar, Mayor of the Town of Prescott – Jamie Schoular, Chair of the UCDSB – MPP Steve Clark – Ron Ferguson, CEO of the UCDSB – Jennifer Perry, Superintendent of Schools at the UCDSB – Jeff Shaver, Mayor of Augusta Township – Michel LaBonte, Ward 5 Trustee at the UCDSB.
MPP Clark with Mayors Gauri Shankar and Jeff Shaver.