The London Free Press article entitled, “School Boards see no end in sight for backlog of repairs” from February 14, 2019, cites the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) as needing a five-fold increase in provincial funding for school repairs just to keep pace. For the 2018-19 school year, LCDSB received only $7.4-million in provincial funding for school repairs.
However, according to its four-year strategic plan, LDCSB would need $35-million annually in order to actually meet the maintenance and repair needs of its current school buildings. As per Ministry Disrepair Data last released in Fall 2017, LDCSB has a school repair backlog of $81.6-million dollars. However, based on LDCSB projections outlined in its capital plan, this number will likely double to over $160-million of disrepair in LDCSB schools by the 2021/22 school year if provincial funding does not increase.
The London District Catholic School Board is not alone in this issue. Based on the most recent Ministry disrepair data, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), Southwestern Ontario’s largest school board, has a repair backlog of over $750-million in its schools. And yet, for the 2018-2019 school year, TVDSB received less than $55 million from the Province for school repairs.
Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre is quoted as saying, “We have a situation right now where we have schools that are quite literally crumbling. I’m really frightened about our future.”
To citizens in London, Woodstock, Ingersoll, Dorchester, Aylmer, Glencoe, St. Thomas, Strathroy, Tillsonburg and all other communities in Southwestern Ontario – please contact your local MPPs to voice your concerns about the state of your local schools. Our provincial government holds the power over the money and needs to hear your concerns! We’ve made it easy for you – just click HERE.