THUNDER BAY – The province’s education minister says school closures are “taken very seriously,” as three Thunder Bay schools could be among more than 100 on the chopping block across Ontario.
The elimination of top-up funding and other financial support for under capacity schools has put pressure on school boards across Ontario, with many contemplating shuttering schools.
In Thunder Bay, Lakehead Public School Board trustees voted to close Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute and consolidate Edgewater Park and Agnew H. Johnston public schools into a new elementary school on the Churchill site.
In Thunder Bay earlier this week, Education Minister Mitzie Hunter acknowledged closing schools is a “very difficult conversation to have.”
“I want to ensure all Ontario students are receiving the best education possible and I know school boards are thinking about that when they look at school closures,” Hunter said.
“It’s really one of the last resort decisions that a school board will have to make. They only make those decisions if they feel it will improve student learning and student outcome.”
Board administration had also recommended converting Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute into an elementary school, allowing for the closure of three existing schools. However, trustees voted against that plan.
The south side renewal plan were originally supposed to begin at the end of this school year with the closure of Churchill, but the timelines have been delayed a year after the province moved their capital consolidation deadline from October 2016 to January.
The revised timelines call for Churchill to close in June 2018, with those students attending Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. The new elementary school would be built over the following year, scheduled to open its doors in September 2019.
A board spokesperson confirmed the results of the consolidation plan’s funding application have not yet been received.
“I know the ministry is reviewing the applications and are in touch directly with the boards,” Hunter said.
“We want to make sure this information is done in a timely way. We do have regular capital programs so boards can do longer range planning for their school needs so I’m very confident this school board, being in touch with the ministry, will have the information they need with regards to their application.”
