The Lambton Kent District School Board [LKDSB] hopes to attract more international students and create more "community hubs" as it continues to cope with funding challenges from declining enrolment.
In its 2019 capital plan, the board said 253 classrooms will be closed in September, saving $758,250.
There were 21,758 students enrolled in 2018-19, representing an overall decline in the student population of 11.2 per cent over 10 years.
Superintendent of Education Gary Girardi said they're expecting enrolment to further decline in the next 10 years, but at a slower pace.
"By 2029, we're projecting our elementary enrolment to decrease by 679 students and we're projecting our secondary population to increase by approximately eight students," said Girardi.
He said they'll be working to further promote their international program to fill unused spaces with overseas students.
"They pay to come into our schools," said Girardi. "The value that they see in coming to the Lambton Kent District School Board relates to the prospect of them earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, which is highly regarded. It's also an opportunity for people to learn English, in an English speaking environment, which is also highly sought after."
Girardi said they're also continuing to work with local partners on programming to maximize the use of their facilities.
"Four years ago we challenged ourselves and our community partners to look for opportunities where we could take unused spaces and reuse those spots," he said. "A good example of that is the John N. Given Learning Centre [in Chatham]. That's a former elementary school that we closed in our consolidation process and we repurposed that building in September 2018 to house some of our adult, continuing education programs and special education programs."
The LKDSB has also integrated libraries, child care centres and recreation facilities into its buildings.
In Sarnia, the board even rents part of its warehouse to the Stones and Bones Museum.
With reduced enrolments, the LKDSB is projected to be at 77 per cent capacity for elementary schools and 65 per cent capacity for secondary school this September.