Fresh money for school construction in MV over the next four years
At least 400 million euros are to be made available for the construction and renovation of schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern over the next four years. At a meeting with top representatives of the local authorities on Friday, the state agreed to provide 100 million euros for a school construction lump sum - 25 million euros per year. The municipal family will contribute a further 100 million euros from the financial equalization scheme, as participants reported after the meeting in Schwerin. The school authorities would then have to contribute another half to the investment in their schools.
Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) and the chairmen of the Association of Districts and the Association of Towns and Municipalities, Seenplatte District Administrator Heiko Kärger (CDU) and Wismar Mayor Thomas Beyer (SPD), unanimously spoke of a good day for schools in the state. According to Education Minister Simone Oldenburg (Left Party), investment needs in the state's schools currently amount to 430 million euros.
In order to mobilize even more money for school construction investments, Finance Minister Heiko Geue (SPD) announced that local authority reserves could be used more easily for this purpose in future. To this end, the municipal budget regulations will be amended. Up to 600 million euros are involved. According to Geue, the state wants to provide 7.5 million euros per year for poorer local authorities without reserves so that they can cover their share of school investments. The respective city or municipality is responsible for state elementary school, while the districts or independent cities are responsible for secondary and vocational schools.
The state's decision to provide 100 million euros for school construction and the municipalities contributing an additional 100 million euros from the financial equalization scheme is a significant contribution from the municipalities and the government. To further mobilize funds, Finance Minister Heiko Geue announced plans to amend municipal budget regulations, allowing local authority reserves to be used more easily for school construction investments.
Source: www.dpa.com
