The Liberal government is looking to strengthen education in rural and northern Ontario by changing the way boards consider schools for closure. 
With that in mind, the province has announced that it is overhauling the accommodation review process, and for the time being, boards will not be able to put any more schools up for closure.
However, the change doesn’t affect 124 schools already recommended for closure and another five that are under review across the province.
Meantime, enrollment continues to decline at local public schools.
The Lambton Kent District School Board released its 2017 capital report this week.
The board had just shy of 22,000 students enrolled in 2016-2017, down 14.4% over the last 10 years.
With reduced enrollment, the board is expecting to be at 74% capacity for elementary schools, and 66% capacity for secondary schools in the fall.
