IF elected, NSW Labor would set aside $30 million to upgrade facilities and infrastructure at Ballina High School and Southern Cross School, without selling the electricity network.

Labor leader Luke Foley believes providing high quality learning spaces was central to giving children the best possible education.

He said the local community had for many years campaigned for refurbishments to Ballina High School and Southern Cross School.

Mr Foley's promise to upgrade the two school without selling off assets is in contrast to the Coalition's unpopular plan to merge the two into a super school.

"The local community has made it clear they just want improvements to the existing schools they know and love, not be forced into an amalgamation of high schools," Mr Foley said.

"Labor will protect these two local schools, and having listened to community concerns, will provide these schools with state of the art facilities to give our kids the learning environment they deserve."

As part of these upgrades, Labor will investigate options for Southern Cross School's dedicated distance education teachers to be located in a genuine facility together, rather than the current situation where these teachers are separated at different sites.

This issue is shaping up to be a major factor in the Ballina electorate.