"We're on target. We're on track. Things are going well," said Ken Woodley, school district superintendent.

For the coming year, a number of projects are in the works, including massive renovations to Sir John Franklin high school.

Among the changes are the removal of portable classrooms, upgrading the electrical system and the relocation of teaching areas.

"Basically we're trying to refurbish the building in such a way that it's serviceable for the next 20 to 25 years," said Woodley.

There will be no expansion, but the school will be getting a fitness centre with gym equipment and a spring floor for gymnastics.

While school engineers examine the schematics, plans are also in the works to build a brand new school for Ecole Allain St. Cyr's French immersion students.

It will be built near William McDonald school and will be paid for solely by the federal government.

"The projection is for 100 to 100-plus students over time," Woodley said.

Ecole Allain St. Cyr currently has 58 students.

Woodley said enrolment for all the board's schools has stayed fairly stable over the last couple of years. It's up just five students over the last year.

The greatest challenge for the education school board in the coming year is one that it has had in other years.

"I think the greatest challenge is probably going to be focusing on maintaining what it is that we do through hard economic times. And to make certain that what we are doing in fact is the best use of resources," said Woodley.

Another challenge, he said, is informing the public that when government resources dwindle, the school board may not be there to pick up the slack.

If the government can't afford a service, it's likely the school can't either, he said.