Parliament AG Aargau parliament wants secondary schools in Lenzburg and Windisch

On paper, Lenzburg and Windisch are new secondary school locations in the canton of Aargau. This decision in principle was unanimously confirmed by the Grand Council on Tuesday. With the new secondary schools, the canton of Aargau is responding to the sharp rise in pupil numbers up to the year 2050.

The new locations are necessary because the canton's secondary school system has reached and in some cases exceeded the limits of its spatial capacity, according to the message from the cantonal government.

The reasons for the increase in pupil numbers include population growth as well as a moderate increase in the A-level rate. In addition to the two possible locations for two new secondary schools, there are also plans to expand the old cantonal school in Aarau and the cantonal school in Wohlen.

Civic parties again warn of the costs

As in March, the government council's concept met with basic approval in parliament. However, the conservatives pointed out the high costs associated with the new schools. They advocated a phased expansion. The FDP in particular was critical.

The SP emphasized that the canton of Aargau had not invested in school buildings for 50 years and had only relied on provisional solutions. This is now catching up with the canton. The canton must invest in education.

Planning credits approved

Parliament approved a planning credit of CHF 3.4 million for the new secondary school in Lenzburg and a planning credit of CHF 22.1 million for Windisch.

The Grand Council clearly rejected FDP motions not to approve these loans. Parliament will decide on the construction loans of a largely unknown amount at a later date.

For the time being, the utilization plan procedures are to be expedited. According to the government council, it assumes that the two secondary schools will be built and put into operation at different times.

It is currently not possible to predict which location will be realized sooner, the cantonal government stated. The first school is scheduled to open in 2035 and the second in 2040.