A lack of new English students at the Lester B. Pearson school board is fuelling parents' fears that schools will be closed.
The Pearson board lost 700 students this past year and it's forecasting losses of 700 more students in each of the next two years.
Seven of the board's 40 elementary schools are more than half empty and senior director Steve Balleine says the problem is worse in eastern regions.
Several factors
The board blames the low birth rate, competition from private schools and, most importantly, Bill 101 which states that immigrants must be schooled in French.
Fewer students mean less money for the board.
Options
Officials held a public meeting Wednesday evening and told parents that it's looking at all options. They include using some schools for adult education or perhaps closing some facilities outright.
Parents say the options leave them with a sinking feeling.
"(I'm) worried about kids having to change schools," one parent told CTV News.
They're going to keep having to close schools and our children will be displaced once again."
The board says it's trying to be up front with parents but many are skeptical.
"I feel like ... they know what they want to do and they know what they need," said one parent.
Commissioners are now preparing briefs and there will be public consultations.
Any decision on closures will be made by December.
