The superintendent of the Avon Maitland District School Board says the board is in the process of reviewing their accommodation review policy. This is in light of the draft recommendations recently announced by the Ontario Government.
One of the concerns with the new rules is that the value of a school to its community would no longer be one of factors considered when a board looks at closing a school.
Mike Ash explains the Avon Maitland Board, in the past, has included municipal representatives on the Accommodation Review Committee.
The decision to close a school still rests with the board, based on staff recommendations and input from the consultation meetings.
Ash adds he doesn't believe that removing consideration of impact of the school on the community will significantly change the process for the Avon Maitland Board.
"The school information profile going forward appears to be focusing on what's in the best interest of education for the students and the condition of the building," Ash tells CKNX News. "And ultimately the board's ability, financially, to keep the building open."
He adds the board would still have the option of including municipal representatives on its Accommodation Review Committee but Avon Maitland Board won't make a final decision on its policy until the draft guidelines have been approved.