The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) was pleased to welcome MPP Steve Pinsonneault (Lambton Kent Middlesex) to North Lambton Secondary School (NLSS) yesterday, June 18th, for a tour of the school and the future site of the new Forest K-12 school.
MPP Pinsonneault met with students, staff, trustees, and senior administration to learn more about the thriving programs at NLSS and to see firsthand the vision and momentum behind the new K-12 school, which will consolidate NLSS, Aberarder Central School, Bosanquet Central Public School, and Kinwood Central Public School into a single, modern learning environment.
During his visit, MPP Pinsonneault toured classrooms and learning spaces—including specialized trade shops—and spoke with students participating in a Co-operative Education Open House, where he heard directly from youth about their placements and future career plans. With his own background in trades, MPP Pinsonneault was particularly enthusiastic about the real-world, hands-on learning experiences available to students.
He also had the opportunity to view a display of student artwork and visit the Indigenous Learning Centre, gaining further insight into the diverse educational experiences being offered at NLSS. As a token of appreciation, MPP Pinsonneault was presented with tobacco, honey and maple syrup - all of which were produced by LKDSB staff. He was also gifted some LKDSB swag from his own alma-mater, Lambton Kent Composite School.
Following the tour, MPP Pinsonneault joined LKDSB staff and trustees for a visit to the future school site—walking the area that will eventually serve as the entrance to the new school. Situated on a remarkable piece of land, the site offers tremendous potential to support a state-of-the-art learning facility for generations of students to come.
“We were very fortunate to have MPP Pinsonneault visit North Lambton and see firsthand both the dedicated programs and staff supporting our students today and the infrastructure challenges that exist in our current buildings,” said Director Gary Girardi. “It was equally exciting to walk the future school site with him and share in the vision for what’s ahead. We’re optimistic about the road ahead and look forward to working together to get the shovels in the ground.”
Throughout the visit, Principal Leystra highlighted how aging infrastructure adds complexity to daily school operations, especially regarding accessibility. Despite those challenges, she emphasized that NLSS continues to offer rich educational opportunities and community connections—many of which will carry over to the new K-12 school.
The day’s conversations reflected a shared sense of purpose and momentum as LKDSB continues to move forward with plans for the new school. The visit reinforced the importance of community support, and the valuable role partnerships play in shaping the future of education in Forest.
“We know this direction is the right one for students,” added Director Girardi. “This project represents a commitment to equity, opportunity, and excellence in learning spaces, and we are grateful to have strong support at the provincial level.”
As planning continues, LKDSB remains committed to keeping the community informed and engaged—and to celebrating every milestone along the way.