Nanaimo school district wants to use reserve funds for building repair projects put on hold at the beginning of the school year.

The district delayed the projects after the province cancelled the annual facilities grant, a separate fund given to districts across B.C. for maintenance and repair of school facilities.

David Green, secretary-treasurer for the district, said the school board is asking the Education Ministry for permission to use money from the capital reserve fund for projects considered health and safety issues. If approved, it would also save a number of jobs.

The district has about $4.5 million in its capital reserve fund intended for building or replacing schools.

In the previous facilities renewal plan, which was scrapped by trustees last January, the district was to use that reserve money toward construction of a new secondary school.

“In the absence of a new facilities plan, the board has chosen to ask the ministry if they can use the capital in other ways,” said Green.

Nanaimo district usually receives about $2.7 million for building maintenance and repairs. The district spent about $1.5 million this summer, anticipating a funding drop, but not total elimination of funds.

Green said district staff have not determined what projects would be restarted this year if the Education Ministry allows the expenditure.

The move is part of ongoing discussions with the support staff union about how to minimize layoffs as a result of the funding cut.

Green said the district employs about 10 full-time tradespeople through the facilities grant funds and the aim is to lay off as few workers as possible.

“We’re looking at all possibilities,” he said.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com