community engagement process to solicit public input on the proposed plan for the Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury, and South Chatham Area phase of pupil accommodation.  

Public engagement is important in assisting Senior Administration in making decisions about the future 

direction of the LKDSB. As outlined in the LKDSB Pupil Accommodation Report 2016/17, Senior Administration is interested in the opinions of its key stakeholders – parents/guardians, students and staff – as they relate to the scenarios outlined in the report for the Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury, and South Chatham Area school communities. 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 throughout the process.

Although the community is invited to share its thoughts on the proposed phase, this is not the start of a pupil accommodation review for the area. An Initial Staff Report has not been presented to Trustees.

“We want the community to be a part of the conversation and to provide us with its thoughts on the scenarios presented in the LKDSB Pupil Accommodation Report 2016/17 for the Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury, and South Chatham Area ,” said Director of Education Jim Costello. “The LKDSB is faced with several challenges, including declining enrolment, decreased funding and aging facilities. By soliciting input from the public on the future direction of the school board, we will be able to find creative solutions that meet the needs of the LKDSB and the community.”

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For additional information contact:

Jane Bryce, Chair of the Board, 519-899-2619

Jim Costello, Director of Education, 519-336-1500, Ext 31297

Gary Girardi, Superintendent of Education – Capital Planning & Accommodation, 519-336-1500, Ext. 31486

For reference information contact: Heather Hughes, Public Relations Officer, 519-336-1500 , Ext. 31262