The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is changing how high school students learn during inclement weather-related bus cancellation days.
Director of Education John Howitt said effective immediately, if school bus transportation is cancelled in the bus zone where the school is located, or cancelled system-wide, all secondary students will engage in remote learning that day and the school will be closed to students for in-person learning.
Public relations officer Heather Hughes confirmed to Blackburn News that attendance factored into the decision.
"The LKDSB considered this transition after reviewing examples from other school boards and decided to implement this change for secondary schools only," said Hughes. "We are concerned about the lack of attendance on dates when school buses are cancelled, as the number of students absent on those dates is significant."
Hughes said high school teachers have been asked to develop an online presence, and students will receive instructions for virtual learning on such days.
"We understand that access to reliable Internet service may be a challenge for some students and we will work individually with families who may have concerns about equitable access. The absence rates in secondary schools on bus cancellation dates vary school-by-school depending on the number of students who are transported to school by bus."
Hughes said the decision does not impact elementary schools.
"Typically, we have noted higher attendance rates in elementary schools on bus cancellation dates, which may be attributed to a variety of reasons. After consideration and consultation, LKDSB decided elementary schools will remain open to students for in-person learning on bus cancellation dates as per current practice."
Secondary schools will remain open to students when individual buses are cancelled or delayed due to fog for example.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board said it had not yet reached a decision on making similar changes.
