The Ontario Public School Boards Association recently asked the Province to look at rescinding the ban on school closures enacted in 2017.
Saying it was never intended to be in place so long, they said the time has come to remove it.
Avon Maitland Superintendent of Corporate Services Cheri Carter said any decision on adjustment would be outside of her responsibility, and the board would need to complete an accommodation report before it could make a decision.
However, Carter pointed out low enrolment was a significant concern six years ago. That’s no longer an issue. She said the latest enrolment projections suggest the board can anticipate another 1,200 students.
“Twelve hundred new students in the next ten years in elementary kind of changes things a little bit for us. But at this point, my priority in my role would be to find new spaces for the kids that are coming into the system,” Carter explained.
Carter said there are a few options, including boundary adjustments.
“Boundary adjustments is one tool you have. Temporary accommodation is a tool that we can use too. What I mean here is portables," said Carter. "If we don’t have space in regions, like in the North Perth area, for example, you could submit a capital application to see if the Ministry will give you any funding for additions.”
Carter explained the Ministry doesn’t provide funding based on enrolment projections. The students must already be enrolled to justify new funding for a school addition.
After years of lower enrolment, Carter said an increase is a new experience.