Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Lambton Kent District School Board will get about $3.5 million less funding in the next school year.

That’s according to estimates provided to trustees by Associate Director of Corporate Services Brian McKay.

Even though the amount to be received through core funding from the province has not been released yet, McKay is estimating there will be a decrease of 250 full-time equivalent students across the district for the 2026-27 school year. The $3.5 million decrease and lower enrolment McKay says fewer teachers will be needed.

“We knew this day was coming,” said McKay at the May 12 school board meeting, indicating there will be lower enrolments across the province. While the school board doesn’t have the information from the Ministry of Education, it can’t wait since administrators are already planning the 2026-27 budget.

McKay pointed to the housing market within the Lambton-Kent area. “The growth is just not there,” said McKay, adding there isn’t a large number of housing starts and home sales which would lead to an increase in enrolment at the schools.

He predicts there will be declining enrolments over the next few years. “Any cuts that are made need to be balanced and thought out,” said McKay, calling it a new world where the school board will have to live within its means.

Trustee David Shortt urged McKay to get the budget into “a compliant zone,” suggesting any cuts proposed to trustees be explained in “an enriched presentation” as to why those cuts need to be made.

This school year, the Lambton-Kent school board will spend $383 million.

Administrators have already been laying off staff to deal with the funding crunch. Recently, 22 custodial staff were laid off. The administration says 12 new positions will be created at higher rates of pay.