Two more working group meetings have been scheduled as the Lambton Kent District School Board's Accommodation Review Committee studies the proposed closure of SCITS High School in Sarnia.
The ARC and senior administration have open meetings set for February 16 and March 21. The public is invited to attend but will not be allowed comment at the fact-gathering sessions.
The next public ARC meeting will be held at SCITS March 8.
A delegation of people trying to save SCITS attended last night's board meeting in Chatham.
Long-time SCITS area resident Keith Wyville whose three children all graduated from the school spoke to trustees.
"I do feel it's an anchor to the south end community. It's one of the things that it's been a rock over the years," he says. "The loss of SCITS would really, to me, be the gutting of the south end."
Board Director Jim Costello says they've scheduled two more working committee meetings because of the concerns being expressed.
"I think it's a good idea for the committee to be able to sift through the large volume of information, to sit down at tables and review the data and ask questions of our staff," says Costello.
"By having the working committee meetings, and there's a provision in the guideline for them to do that, I think it's going to enhance, hopefully some public confidence in the process and full transparency."
About 30 volunteers have a rally planned on Family Day Monday and will be delivering 900 flyers in and around the SCITS neighbourhood to raise awareness about the proposed closure.
- With files from Jake Kislinsky.