Combining the public and Catholic school boards is something one Amherstburg politician is suggesting in order to save money and avoid potential school closures.
Councillor Leo Meloche is a Catholic himself and says the education system would be better off financially if the boards would band together. "The provincial government mandated that municipalities amalgamate some years ago to create some savings, why can't the school boards do the same," Meloche asks. "We live in an age today where -- yes we have Catholics, the public board -- (but) our area is full of immigrants that aren't just Catholic and aren't just the english."
Meloche believes the Ministry of Education can set up Catholic programs and public school curriculum under one structure. "Things change. We have to accommodate changes," says Meloche. "It would be a lot of work. Everything starts at a certain point. Maybe it's a point of discussion ... is it possible?"
Ontario is the only Canadian province with a government-funded Catholic school board.