There was excitement in the voice of Huntsville High School (HHS) principal Jan Olsson when he talked about the possibilities that would arise from $475,000 in funding the high school received in February.

The money, which came from $1,053,000 of one-time funding for the Trillium Lakeland District School Board announced by the provincial government in the fall of 2007, benefited students enrolled in HHS’s technology courses.

“That funding is for technological equipment and manufacturing equipment for our broad-based technology area,” Olsson stated, adding that he couldn’t speculate as to how long it would take before renovations at the high school begin. “Another area that the money is going to is to expand our hospitality and tourism program, which has really taken off over the last two years. We currently have eight classes of food technology, and it was just introduced two years ago. Next year we’re introducing the Grade 12 food technology program. Out of that $475,000, $125,000 is going toward expanding that program.”

The technology wing received a three-fold facelift that modernized equipment in the areas of computer design, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing and communications technology. The list of upgrades includes new computers, video equipment, computer work stations, a laser engraver and upgrades to kitchen equipment.

According to Jeanne Pengelly, communications officer for the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, the rest of the $1,053,000 in government funding has been directed to 18 other special projects including literacy and numeracy equipment, training and teacher aids. The school board trustees also approved $60,000 for secondary school musical instruments.