Plans to build new schools and renovate and update others in the London area are on hold as the Ford government continues to review education priorities and funding.
The Thames Valley District school board (TVDSB) announced the delay for several capital projects on Tuesday.
The stalled projects include the building of a new school in southeast London, school additions and renovations at Masonville Public School, Kettle Creek Public School, and Tweedsmuir Public School, and new child care and EarlyON child and family centres in London, Belmont, St. Thomas, Rodney, Dorchester, Woodstock, and Ingersoll.
"The provincial government has said that it is conducting a thorough review of public education funding in Ontario,” said TVDSB Director of Education Laura Elliott in a statement. “The government is also in the midst of a comprehensive public consultation process into education reform... In the meantime, parents, and staff need to know that the original timetable for completion of these projects may be delayed."
The Ministry of Education has not indicated when the reviews will be completed.
The school board sent letters home with students on Tuesday to inform parents of the paused projects, which are in different stages of progress.
According to the school board, officials have also not been able to apply for urgent, new construction needs since 2017. As a result, two proposed new schools and child care centres – in southeast St. Thomas and Belmont – will not open as planned in September 2020. The delayed openings mean New Sarum Public School, South Dorchester Public School, Springfield Public School, and Westminster Central Public School will not close as expected in June 2020. They will remain open until the new schools in Belmont and St. Thomas are approved and built.
Child care centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres at Aldborough Public School, River Heights Public School, Algonquin Public School, and Harrisfield Public School will also miss their anticipated opening date of September 2019.
The previous Liberal government had announced an investment of $67.4 million in new schools and upgrades in southwestern Ontario in January. Out of that cash, the Thames Valley board was promised $14 million for a new school in Summerside big enough for 500 students and $9.7-million to build additions, which would cut down on the number of portables, at Masonville Public School and Tweedsmuir Public School.
More information about the project delays can be found by clicking here.
