Plans to build a new $27.7-million kindergarten to Grade-12 school in the Forest area are in doubt.
The Lambton Kent District School Board administration has notified trustees that it doesn't expect a grant application for funding from the Ministry of Education to be successful.
Superintendent of Education Gary Girardi says the conclusion is based on preliminary discussions with ministry officials.
"We have not received any formal notification, but the ministry did suggest that it would be coming to the board by the end of the month of June," says Girardi.
Trustees approved the consolidation of Aberarder Central, Bosanquet Central, Kinnwood Central and North Lambton Secondary Schools back in March and defeated two "backup" recommendations if funding wasn't approved.
At the time, Board Chair Jane Bryce said they were putting all of their eggs in one basket because trustees were confident in the application and residents sent a very clear message that a new school was wanted.
"We maintain that the application to the ministry was a positive application, that was supported by the community and we certainly support the engagement and support from the communities in the area, as well as Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation, parents and staff," said Girardi. "What can happen is that, at this point, if we receive final notification that we are unsuccessful, the board can potentially take a look at recommendations that didn't pass at the meeting in March."
He said a report to revisit the defeated motions will be presented at the June 27 board meeting in Sarnia.