Student enrolment loss slowing at public schools

Journal Staff The public school board is continuing to lose students but at a slowing rate, administrators say.

Journal Staff

The public school board is continuing to lose students but at a slowing rate, administrators say.

A total of 21,607 students enrolled in the Lambton Kent District School board in the 2019-20 school year, which was relatively stable compared to the previous year, the board said.

Overall, student enrolment has declined 10.2% in the past decade.

Elementary schools are projected to be at 76% of student capacity, and high schools 64% in September.

Declining enrolment has a direct impact on provincial funding and the board’s ability to provide programs.

Despite a stable local birthrate and evidence of migration to its catchment area, the board expects to lose another 221 elementary and 43 secondary students over the next decade.