ELGIN COUNTY, Ont. -- Hope is growing that a pair of Elgin County schools slated for closure might be spared by the public school board.
Thames Valley District School Board trustees grilled senior administrators Tuesday about a new report on New Sarum Public School east of St. Thomas and Springfield Public School northeast of Aylmer.
The previous board approved the closures but the new board will soon debate a motion to reverse that decision.
Staff say both schools are aging and would require millions of dollars in repairs over the next five years.
However trustees had questions about enrollment projections and the provincial government's position on school closures.
Next Tuesday the public can weigh in on the closures. The board votes on Nov. 26.
In the meantime a new website was launched on Wednesday to answer questions from parents at: www.tvdsb.ca/epar01
MPP joins fray
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek tells CTV News he will express support for keeping the two schools open at the school board meeting next week.
"You can't just focus on the cost dollar in regards to this aspect of our education system, rural Ontario still needs its schools."
The schools, both in Yurek's riding, were to be replaced by a new school in Belmont, but Yurek would like to see all three open - despite the necessity to modify provincial policies on new school population sizes to make it happen.
"I've spoken with [Education] Minister Lecce, numerous times, and he's willing to look at a smaller Belmont school, if that's what our school board thinks is the best route forward. I think that's the best route forward for the rural part of our community."
- With files from CTV London's Sean Irvine
