The Tobique First Nation in western New Brunswick has already received money to repair its crumbling elementary school, according to a federal government official.

A leaky roof has Mah Sos School officials and some parents demanding a new school for the First Nation's children.

But Indian and Northern Affairs Canada said $300,000 has already been given to the band over the last five years for repairs at the elementary school.

The government has no way of confirming if all the money did actually get spent on the school, said Ian Gray, spokesman for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

"We know that a large portion of it certainly has been," Gray said. "But we are also fully aware we are working with the First Nation on the financial challenges that they are facing."

Chief Gerald Bear said all the money earmarked for the school has been spent on the school.

"They did send monies but not enough," said principal Paula Pirie. "Their solution was we'll patch this, we'll patch this, we'll patch this. But as one parent said earlier, 'Band-Aids don't last forever.'"

Lori Paul, who was shocked to see the conditions of the building, is among the group of parents pushing for a new school.

"I knew this school wasn't in the best of shape to begin with but when one of the mothers put the pictures on Facebook, we saw them all, and I was just appalled," Paul said. "I couldn't believe my child is going to school in these conditions."

Another mother, Denise Nicholas, who is also involved in the campaign for a new building, posted the pictures on the internet of mould, drains stuffed with plastic bags, and uncapped water pipes.

Aware since 1999: documents

Documents obtained by CBC News show the federal government and the band have been aware of the problems in the elementary school since 1999.

The documents cite leaks, water damage, cracked walls and questions of structural integrity in the resource room, principal's office and gym.

A 2006 report completed by a contractor also lists repairs needed to the school totalling more than $47,800.

But there was no follow-up documentation noting what repairs were ever ordered after any of the reports.

In another Health Canada assessment sent to the band in September 2007 and repeated in March 2008, it was recommended "… a qualified roofing professional [assess] the condition of the roof and that any necessary repairs be completed to control water damage and the potential for mould growth."

The money provided to the First Nation was never enough to properly address the problems at the building and the community has been promised a new school for years, Bear said.

Gray said Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has called for a meeting with the band council regarding the school and it will be re-examining the Health Canada reports.