Lambton-Kent District School Board Senior Administration presented the Pupil Accommodation Report 2018/2019 to Trustees at the October 9, 2018 Board Meeting.
In compliance with the LKDSB’s regulation and Ontario Ministry of Education directions, Senior Administration presented the LKDSB’s current and future enrolment demographics, financial considerations and school site information to Trustees.
As with previous years, the LKDSB continues to face two ongoing challenges: declining enrolment and financial challenges (including maintaining aging facilities).
The LKDSB has experienced enrolment decline since amalgamation in 1998.
School board officials say however, due to a low projected birth rate within its catchment area, the LKDSB expects this decline to continue for the next decade.
Enrolment decline has a direct impact on Ministry funding and overall utilization of facilities.
As such, the LKDSB must consider its future capital needs in order to ensure fiscal responsibility and to maximize resources to support academic programming.
“The LKDSB continues to face ongoing challenges of declining enrolments and limited Ministry funding,
as well as aging facilities,” stated Director Jim Costello, in a media release.
“Although there continues to be a moratorium on school consolidations, the LKDSB feels it is prudent to review its capital needs and provide an update to Trustees and the public to support future planning. As we move forward, we remain focused on providing the best learning environments to support student success.”
On April 27, 2018, the Ministry of Education released a revised Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline.
The LKDSB incorporated the revisions into its regulations on pupil accommodation in May.
In June 2018, the moratorium on school consolidations was re-introduced by the Ministry of Education and school boards were advised the provincial government would be reviewing the school closure process.
A date for the release of the revised process has not been set.
The complete Pupil Accommodation Report 2018/2019 can be found on the LKDSB website:
http://www.lkdsb.net/Board/AccommodationReview/Pages/default.aspx.
