Wimmera principals have been both welcoming and critical of the state government's latest education funding.
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Education Minister James Merlino revealed on Monday that every public school in Victoria would share in cash help worth $515 million in the next five years.
Mr Merlino said the money would enable schools to do essential works such as painting, replacing carpet and windows, landscaping, tree inspections and maintenance of infrastructure such as septic systems.
Warracknabeal Secondary College will receive $220,817. School council president Kylie Zanker, also a Yarriambiack Shire councillor, said the funding missed the mark.
"There is a heck of a lot more maintenance needed if we are going to stay in the school we are now than that amount provides for," she said.
"The other part that's quite frustrating is why could that amount of money not be put into a new school? We're hoping for and always being positive advocates for a new school building."
Since November, residents have been fighting to secure from the state government the $16 million needed to complete the Warracknabeal Education Precinct as part of the Finish what you started campaign.
It will bring together the Warracknabeal Primary School, Warracknabeal Special Developmental School and Warracknabeal Secondary College onto one campus. The precinct is half complete, with funding needed to complete stage two.
Cr Zanker said the current school had aging infrastructure and a large building to upkeep.
"Obviously the $220,000 will assist in trying to ensure the environment our students have is as good as possible," she said. "But it would be appreciated if further funding would be forthcoming."
Cr Zanker said members of the campaign met with Western Victoria Upper House MP Stuart Grimley in Warracknabeal on Tuesday. Mr Grimley told them he would present their case in Parliament next week.
Stawell West Primary School acting principal Anthony Cain said the $45,307 his school would receive would free up money for other projects.
"We are working with the parent's club and school council to upgrade the library," he said.
"Because of the size of our school, painting internally and externally will cost a bit, and we replaced our old boiler system with air conditioners this year which cost around $25,000 on its own."
Mr Cain said 95 students attended Stawell West Primary School across five classrooms, and enrolment numbers had remained steady in recent years.
Horsham College will receive $581,096 in the next five years, including $13,477 for bushfire preparedness. Horsham Primary will receive $120,411 while Nhill College receives $187,293 and Ararat Secondary College receives $203,132.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
