The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board is moving forward with three separate reviews of empty class spaces in the Leamington, Amherstburg and west Windsor areas.
Director of Education Paul Picard says the ministry is focused on reducing empty seats and so too should the board be.
"If we are spending money on empty student spaces, it prevents us from enhancing programming and from enhancing student achievement through programming," says Picard.
All three accommodation reviews will happen under the new "modified" process, which some trustees criticized as not allowing for proper public input.
"The accommodation review of 'modified' I don't agree with because my stakeholders don't have enough input in the situation," says Frank DiTomasso, trustee for LaSalle and Amherstburg.
Picard stresses his confidence in the new process to allow for effective consultation with the affected communities and added the stresses that come with the reviews are well known.
"It's difficult on school communities. It's difficult on trustees. It's difficult on students. It's difficult on staff. We're all in this," says Picard.
In Leamington, St. Louis and Queen of Peace elementary schools along with Cardinal Carter high school are part of the review. In Amherstburg, St. Bernard and Stella Maris Catholic elementary schools are affected. In west Windsor, St. James and St. John elementary schools as well as Assumption College Catholic High School will be under review.
