The elimination of special funding for schools with small enrollment is going to pressure school boards over the next few years.
That's according to Lambton Kent District School Board Chair Scott McKinlay, who says setting next year's budget wasn't hard compared to what is coming.
"We are making minor changes now, it's not so much the process today but the process in years to come, there is going to be significant pressure on schools with small enrollment," he says.
However, McKinlay isn't ready to suggest school closures. "I don't want to jump the gun, but it's going to be a potential of some consolidation, we'd started the (grades) seven and eight process in the high schools, we may see more of that."
The province provides funding for heat, electricity and maintenance for underutilized schools but it's ending that program. McKinlay is concerned the Lambton Kent board could lose up to $4.5-million in annual funding.
