Amherstburg council is rallying behind a plan that would keep Western Secondary's specialty programming, instead of closing the school altogether.
The town hired a consultant to form a proposal that would see a new community hub school, consolidating General Amherst and Western into one.
Public board trustee Ron LeClair says this option is very cost effective.
"You have athletic activities that can be utilized during the day by schools and the public in the evening, therefore getting the most value for our tax dollars," he says.
The plan proposes the community hub be built at Centennial Park or near the Libro Centre. LeClair says it's clear a new school is needed in Amherstburg, so why not make it a community hub.
"General Amherst was built in 1922, clearly $38-million in capital backlog puts an unhealthy burden on the school board," he says.
Trustees will discuss all of their options on school consolidations and closures Tuesday night. In addition to closing Western, the director of education is also recommending the closure of Harrow District High School.
A final decision isn't expected from the trustees until next month.
