The Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board expects students to switch to remote learning on Monday November 21, 2022 if a settlement with CUPE is not reached.
Ontario's 55,000 education workers are set to strike if they don't get a deal with the province.
About 41 per cent of staff at Bruce and Grey's Catholic Schools are members of CUPE. The 420 staff members include custodians, educational assistants, librarians, and some staff at the Catholic Education Centre.
The Board said the decision to close school if there is a strike was difficult, but necessary after assessing the safety risks for students.
"Safety for all remains the Board’s primary concern and was the predominant factor that was considered in making this decision. As such, all Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board schools will be closed to students as of Monday, November 21, 2022 unless a new central agreement between CUPE, and the Government of Ontario has been reached. Students will receive asynchronous lessons on Monday November 21, 2022, and synchronous learning will begin on Tuesday, November 22, 2022," said a media release from the board.
The board is hopeful a strike can be averted, but suggests families make alternate child care arrangements for next week, since before and after school programs will also be closed. The Brockton Child Care and Wooden Hill Child Care Centres will remain open.