State MP for the Blue Mountains Trish Doyle has expressed her disappointment that local schools have been left out of the next stage of the NSW government's school-building program.
An announcement from the Premier and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning on October 20 revealed 44 new and upgraded school projects for schools across the state.
However, no Blue Mountains schools featured on the list.
"I am furious that our Blue Mountains schools have missed out again," said Ms Doyle. "This is a real setback for our community, in particular our students. It's been a tough couple of years and the fact that we have to wait even longer for much-needed improvements to our local schools, sends a message that the NSW government really doesn't care.
"Minister [Sarah] Mitchell proudly claims that the NSW government's investment is giving our kids the best chance to achieve their academic potential. So what does she say to all the schools that miss out?"
"This kind of selective process whereby schools in dire need of upgrading don't make the list is unacceptable. What kind of message is that sending to teachers, staff and students?"
Blue Mountains schools also missed out on funding from the NSW government's Cooler Classrooms program, with all nine schools that applied for the program being turned down.
Katoomba High P&C representative, Vikki Wilmont, echoed Ms Doyle's feelings in specific regard to the lack of funding available to upgrade her school.
"Student numbers at Katoomba High have doubled over the last decade, and while our principal uses limited funds as creatively as possible and some classrooms have been renovated, the physical structure has remained largely unchanged in all that time," said Ms Wilmont.
"I believe that apart from demountable classrooms, the last major infrastructure project was the support unit building in 1995; Katoomba High School students are overdue for an upgrade to their learning environment."
