High school closure speculation nothing new: Superintendent

THUNDER BAY -- Rumours that Lakehead Public Schools will close a high school have been around for more than a decade.

In 2004 the board made public a C.N. Watson report that recommended school closures, including Churchill by 2017. Superintendent of business David Wright said there has been speculation ever since that the board will follow through on the recommendation.

"The rumours have been around for a long time. We hear them every year. It's nothing new," he said.

The Ministry of Education is putting pressure on school boards, including Lakehead, to review underutilized space in the system. Wright said a report is heading to trustees that will discuss the future of school facilities but it's not about school closures.

"I just want to make it very clear, the initial report isn't about school closures. It's about an opportunity to renew and refresh facilities," Wright said.