Several important capital projects across Thames Valley have been delayed while the Ontario government continues its review of education priorities and funding across the province.

The projects include a new school in Southeast London, school additions and renovations at Masonville Public School, Kettle Creek Public School and Tweedsmuir Public School, as well as new child care and EarlyON child and family centres in London, Belmont, St. Thomas, Rodney, Dorchester, Woodstock and Ingersoll.

While the projects are at different stages of progress, all of them are delayed by the Ministry of Education’s ongoing review process. TVDSB staff are in regular contact with the Ministry, which has not indicated when the reviews will be completed.

“The provincial government has said that it is conducting a thorough review of public education funding in Ontario,” said Laura Elliott, Director of Education. “The government is also in the midst of a comprehensive public consultation process into education reform.”

“In the meantime, parents and staff need to know that the original timetable for completion of these projects may be delayed,” added Director Elliott.

While these previously approved projects are delayed, TVDSB and other school boards have also not been able to apply for urgent, new construction needs resulting from the provincial review of education priorities and funding. TVDSB and other school boards have not had the opportunity to submit their capital priorities to the Ministry since 2017. As a result, two proposed new schools and child care centres – in southeast St. Thomas and Belmont – will not open as the Board had hoped in September 2020.

Until the new schools in Belmont and St. Thomas are approved and built, the following schools will not close as expected in June 2020: New Sarum Public School, South Dorchester Public School, Springfield Public School and Westminster Central Public School.

In addition to school projects, child care centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres at Aldborough Public School, River Heights Public School, Algonquin Public School and Harrisfield Public School will not open as anticipated in September 2019.

Parents and guardians of children affected by the delays will receive letters from their schools today. More information will be posted on school websites or at www.tvdsb.ca/planning as it becomes available.

School communities are welcome to provide feedback.  

See links below for additional information on individual schools:

Aldborough PS
Algonquin PS
Davenport PS
Fairmont PS
Harrisfield PS
Kettle Creek PS
Masonville PS
Princess Elizabeth PS
Mitchell Hepburn PS
New Sarum PS
Northdale Central PS
River Heights PS
South Dorchester PS
Springfield PS
Summers Corners PS
Tweedsmuir PS
Westminster Central PS