Accomodation reviews for several schools in Bruce and Grey County are on the way.
45 of 53 schools with the Bluewater District School Board meet the requirements for the review.
The Manager of Plant Services for the board Al Gibb says you have to start somewhere and going to locations where there multiple schools and multiple opportunities makes good sense.
Schools that will be studied includes John Diefenbaker Secondary School which is due for replacement anyway.
But to maximize provincial funding they want to have a school big enough to serve the needs of the community but accomodate more students according to Ministry of Education criteria.
As a result an accomodation review in that area will include Chesley District High; along with Hanover Heights elementary; Dawnview and Kinghurst.
Elsewhere also up for review is Elgin Market, Huron Heights, KTTPS elementary schools in Kincardine along with Kincardine District and Saugeen District high schools.
Gibb says overall the board simply has too much school space but in some local areas, space is at a premium.
Saugeen Shores/Arran Elderslie trustee Ross King called the report presented to the board last night “overwhelming” that is going to cause “angst” in affected communities.
He admits though that the board simply has too much space overall, despite space limitations in some areas.
King says closing schools or consolidating schools may be down the road.
The review committee will have to come up with solutions to maximize the provincial funding available.
It could take over a year for results.
