Long-awaited keys handed over

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 20 October 1987, Page 3

Long-awaited keys handed over

Raetihi School was handed the keys to two teacher housing units last week, allocated by the Education Department after a ten-year wait. The two 2-bedroomed units were part of a nationwide allocation with high priority going to Raetihi School, who first applied for more teacher housing in 1977. Only three houses, or equivalent, were allocated nation wide. In 1981 their tender was approved, only to be scrubbed at the last minute due to a shortage of funds. The units which are classed as one allocation c ost $132,000 and are the first teachers' accommodation to be built detached to allow greater privacy for the occupants. Suitable for single people or young married couples, they are low maintenance and are relocatable. The keys to the houses were handed over by Wanganui Education Board Northern Ward member Marian Cleaver, to the chairman of the Raetihi School Committee Ian Forster at a function last week which was attended by a number of Education Board officials and teachers. Raetihi School Principal Geoff Lovegrove said at the time of completion there were far greater numbers of applicants in proportion to the number of available houses but said the next priority was the remodelling of the school buildings.