School's head denies it has missed out on upgrades

The head of a Kimberley school has dismissed claims it had been overlooked by the State Government after an audit identified it as the neediest school in WA, requiring building upgrades.

The audit of outstanding maintenance jobs, carried out by the Department of Finance's Building Management and Works every three years, found Derby District High School in need of $1.6 million in repairs.

Shadow Education Minister Sue Ellery said the school had missed out on necessary funding.

"This report clearly shows they are not spending the money they need to be on infrastructure in our schools," she said.

"I think it is a case of out of sight, out of mind … the fact that the school with the highest outstanding maintenance bill is thousands of kilometres from Perth is a testament to that and it's shocking."

Kimberley MP Josie Farrer also expressed disappointment at the Government's "lack of commitment to provide quality education and resources in the Kimberley".

"This Government has been fully aware, for many years, of the escalating problems at Derby District High School and the maintenance work that is urgently required," she said.

However, DDHS principal Noel Morgan said the $1.6 million of works identified in the report included expensive projects like resurfacing the basketball court, car parks and general painting, rather than urgent repairs.

"In general, the buildings are in quite good condition and there are certainly no concerns that I'm aware of from parents or the broader community about the condition of the buildings," he said.

"I believe our school community is very supportive of the school."

Mr Morgan said the school had just unveiled a $15 million building program as well as recent playground upgrades.

"We now have a brand new five- classroom early childhood centre, a brand new home economics and textile centre, a brand new purpose-built music centre, an upgraded science room and a magnificent brand new performing arts theatre," he said.

"That's gone a long way to offset any issues around buildings."

While Mr Morgan agreed the school's classrooms were old, he said they had undergone steady refurbishment, including carpet replacement and new furniture.

"Like all schools in Broome and the Kimberley and Perth, we could do with a lick of paint and some upgrade work," he said.