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LKDSB to launch Thoughtexchange regarding Sarnia elementary schools

March 23, 2018
​On March 26, the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is launching a Thoughtexchange community engagement to solicit public input on the City of Sarnia elementary school phase of pupil accommodation. The Thoughtexchange will be open until April 6.Public engagement is important in assisting Senior Administration in making decisions about the future direction of LKDSB's capital planning and educational programming. The LKDSB continues to face ongoing challenges of declining enrolments, reduced funding and aging facilities. However, the LKDSB believes that fewer, but fuller schools will allow its funding to stretch further to support enhanced programs and updated facilities for students.Senior Administration is interested in the opinions of its key stakeholders – parents/guardians, students and staff – as they relate to the following:We are considering plans to reduce the number of Sarnia elementary schools to maximize student supports and increase efficiencies.  Please share your thoughts. We are considering consolidating French Immersion (FI) programming in Sarnia to create single track FI school(s). Please share your thoughts.In order to assist with this process, LKDSB is partnering with Thoughtexchange, which uses Group Insight Platform™ to collect and share the community's thoughts. Thoughtexchange is a three-step process: Share, Star and Discover. Stakeholders share their thoughts, star what others say, and discover what matters most to the community.Although the public is invited to participate in the Thoughtexchange, this is not the start of a pupil accommodation review for the area. An Initial Staff Report has not been presented to Trustees for approval."We invite the Sarnia community to join the conversation and share thoughts on the future of the city's elementary schools," said Director Jim Costello. "We understand that the City of Sarnia is changing and so are its demographics. We want to work with all stakeholders to find innovative solutions for elementary programming that meet the current and future needs of the LKDSB and the community."From March 26-April 6, a link to the Thoughtexchange will be posted on the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net). Paper copies will be available in the 13 Sarnia elementary schools and LKDSB Education Centres from March 26-30. More information about the Thoughtexchange process is available at http://www.lkdsb.net/Board/Community/ThoughtExchange/Pages/default.aspx. - 30-For additional information contact:Elizabeth Hudie, Chair of the Board, 519-542-0939Jim Costello, Director of Education, 519-336-1500, Ext 31297Gary Girardi, Superintendent of Education – Capital Planning & Accommodation, 519-336-1500, Ext. 31486For reference information contact:Heather Hughes, Public Relations Officer, 519-336-1500, Ext. 31262March 23, 20182017/2018:16Click here to watch a video about the Sarnia Elementary Thoughtexchange.