The Lambton Kent District School Board is looking for public input about possible school closures in Blenheim, Tilbury, Ridgetown and south Chatham.
The board has seen a 16% drop in enrolment over the last decade and that trend is expected to continue due to low birth rates.
Superintendent of Education Gary Girardi says public engagement is important in helping administration make decisions about the future, adding "our funding is pupil based and... in our case as [enrolment] has moved down over the last 15 years so has our support financially from the ministry."
A 'Thoughtexchange' online community engagement process will be launched March 20th.
More information about the 'Toughtexchange' process can be found at http://www.lkdsb.net/Board-Info/thoughtexchange.htm.
Schools that could close are: Harwich Raleigh Public School; W.J. Baird Public School; Ridgetown District High School; Blenheim District High School; John McGregor Secondary School and Tilbury District High School.
Two new schools could be built to house all the students.
Girardi says there are several options on the table and adds "nothing has been brought to trustees. This is just a method for us to reach and get input from the community."
Girardi says the board has declining enrolment, decreased funding and aging facilities and admits "it may lead to a pupil accommodation review that may look at consolidation of schools but that process has not started."
