Rainbow Board looking at closing more schools in Sudbury, Espanola

The Rainbow District School Board says due to cuts in provincial funding and declining enrolment, it's looking at closing more schools in the years ahead. 

• List of schools under review in the Rainbow District School Board
• Fewer students means less money for Sudbury schools, says Rainbow School Board Director

The largest public school board in northern Ontario is now planning what are called "accommodation reviews" of schools in both Greater Sudbury and Espanola. 

That means it might move some students to other schools, and will consider shutting the doors of others.

'67 per cent capacity'

According to a press release on Wednesday, the board "has been drawing on reserves to balance its budget since 2015-2016 when the Ministry of Education introduced the School Board Efficiencies and Modernization strategy, which resulted in reduced funding."

It continued, "There is an immediate need to find more than $3.6 million in annual operating savings to offset the provincial reduction in revenue."

"We're currently at about 67 per cent capacity," said education director Norm Blaseg. "So we have a lot of excess people space, and we need to come to terms with that. We need to deal with that." 

Some families in Greater Sudbury are already well-acquainted with the school review process. Back in 2012, parents lost a bid to keep Long Lake Public School open. The board shut it down, and the students were moved elsewhere. 

Blaseg said no changes are expected this year, and parents of children who go to a school that may be consolidated or closed will be sent information and given an opportunity to provide feedback this fall.

Blaseg said final decisions are expected to be made in January.

To see the list of schools under review in the Rainbow District School Board, tap here.