As tens of thousands of students across Windsor-Essex head back to school after the Christmas break, the director of education at the Greater Essex County District School Board is looking forward to a busy 2017.
Erin Kelly says the board has about $110-million in capital projects on the go.
"We have Leamington Secondary School. That's in progress," she says. "We've also been about to attain funding from the Ministry [of Education] for a combined Western and Amherst [secondary schools], the Giles new build, North Shore school and also Prince Andrew."
The board will also conduct two accommodation reviews this year, in the Forest Glade area of Windsor and Leamington. Kelly admits enrolment continues to be a challenge.
Meanwhile, it has been about a year since the first Syrian refugee children started attending schools and Kelly says specialized programs to boost their academic achievement have been very successful so far.
"Our summer learning helped our newcomers," Kelly says. "I think they're doing well and we'll continue to learn from them and support them in the ways that they need."
A number of refugees also attend schools in the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.
