Faced with financial challenges and declining enrolment, the Lambton-Kent District School Board is looking into closing more schools… and this could spell some changes in the Dresden area.
Senior administration with the school board presented the Pupil Accommodation Report 2017/2018 to trustees at the October 24, 2017 board meeting.
In compliance with the LKDSB’s regulation and Ontario Ministry of Education directions, senior administration presented the LKDSB’s current and future enrollment demographics, financial considerations and school site information to trustees.
School board officials say the report outlines the two ongoing challenges facing the LKDSB: declining enrolment and financial challenges, including maintaining aging facilities.
A reduction in the number of schools is necessary for the LKDSB to efficiently and equitably allocate capital funding to strengthen the learning environments for a maximum number of students, school board officials said.
“The LKDSB is faced with ongoing financial challenges that are a direct result of declining enrolments,” stated Jim Costello, director of education, in a press release.
“With fewer, but fuller schools, we are in a better financial position to support student success. This includes providing a broader diversity of programs and enhanced learning environments.”
School board officials say these challenges are not unique to the LKDSB, however with a continuous, but gradual decline of enrolment projected for the next 10 years, senior administration must consider the ongoing effects this will have on Ministry funding and ability to operate at current capacity.
Changes proposed for Dresden
A proposed pupil accommodation review in the Dresden area is being prepared.
However, a start date is “to be determined.”
Gary Girardi, superintendent of education for capital planning and pupil accommodation for the board, told the Sydenham Current in March of 2016 that a potential plan was in place for Dresden.
This plan included closing Dresden Area Central School, shutting down Dawn-Euphemia School and transforming Lambton-Kent Composite School into a K-12 school.
“It’s a potential plan, but the trustees have not voted to move forward with ARCs on any of those,” Girardi said.
The Pupil Accommodation Report released on Tuesday included the original ideas, along with these additional options:
– Close Dresden Area Central School and relocate students to a reconfigured Kindergarten to Grade 8 school at the Lambton-Kent Composite School site
– Relocate Grade 9-12 Lambton Kent Composite School students to: Chatham-Kent Secondary School, Lambton Central Collegiate Vocational Institute or Wallaceburg District Secondary School
– Close Dawn-Euphemia School and relocate students to: Lambton Central Centennial School, Brooke Central Public School, the reconfigured Kindergarten to Grade 8 school at the Lambton-Kent Composite School site, Brigden Public School or H.W. Burgess Public School in Wallaceburg.
– Close Zone Township Central School and relocate students to Thamesville Area Central School.
The school board is also looking into possible pupil accommodation reviews in Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury, Chatham, Sarnia, Mooretown and Corunna.
‘Pause’ on all new pupil accommodation reviews
Fast forward to this past summer, on June 28, 2017, the Ministry of Education instituted a ‘pause’ on all new pupil accommodation reviews, school board officials said.
In the spring, the Ministry held public engagement sessions and is currently conducting a review of the Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines, with a focus on strengthening rural education and supporting community planning and partnerships.
The LKDSB is currently awaiting direction from the Ministry on the revised guidelines and the implications for the Board.
However, senior administration feels it is prudent to continue to provide trustees with updates on current and projected demographic shifts and the resulting financial impact to the Board, as well as the state of its facilities, school board officials say.
The complete Pupil Accommodation Report 2017/2018 can be found, here.
