The province advised Nova Learning today, July 28, that it will purchase two of their nine schools in July 2018 after the leases expire. The schools are O’Connell Drive Elementary School in Porters Lake and Riverside Education Centre in Milford, Hants Co.

Government was required to advise Nova Learning of its decision to purchase, surrender or extend the lease of the two schools prior to July 31, 2016.

“Both the Halifax and Chignecto-Central Regional School Boards identified these schools as ones that need to stay open to meet the educational needs of students living in the surrounding communities,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey.

“In these two cases, purchasing is more affordable than extending the leases and will provide a long-term solution to providing schools for the area.”

The decision to purchase instead of extending the lease for these two schools will save the province about $20 million. The province will invest $3.95 million to purchase O’Connell Drive Elementary School and $8.95 million to purchase Riverside Education Centre.

There are seven other Nova Learning schools with decision notice dates ranging from July 2017 to August 2018. Altogether there are 39 P3 schools in the province. Negotiations are ongoing with the developers for the remaining schools.

“We will continue to negotiate with the best interests of students, families and taxpayers in mind,” said Ms. Casey.

Scotia Learning reached an agreement with the province in June to extend the decision notice dates on its schools to October 31, 2016.

Source: Release