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By Margaret Brand The Review-MIrror Last month Upper Canada District School Board trustees got a status report on the condition and usage of schools in its inventory. New policy coming down from the Ministry of Education is putting increasing pressure on school boards to justify school construction pro- jects and underutilized facilities by enrolment. "We want to make sure that money is being spent on educating the students who are there and not on funding empty seats," said Education Minister Liz Sandals last month. Funding cuts are part of the 2015-2016 education funding guide which includes reductions of up to $500 million by 2017- 2018 to help eliminate the province's $12.5-billion deficit. The document was obtained by the NDP last month. If by 'empty seats' San- dals means 'On the Ground Capacity' (OTG) the Upper Canada District School Board has schools which fit the bill. Twenty eight of the UCDSB's schools will have utilization of less than 60 per cent by 2020 and growth by that time of less than three students per year. Local schools on that list of 60 per cent or less utilization include: Rideau Centennial (19), Glen Tay PS (36), Sweets Corners (43), Athens District High School (46), Linklater (50) and Gananoque Secondary School (55). Rideau Centennial cur- rently has two classes, a K to grade three class and a four, five, six class. The UCDSB report states that the ministry in considering requests for capital funding has been looking at available pupil Thursday, December 18, 2014 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 122, No. 50 $1 incl. tax Mirror The Review 66 Foster St., Perth, ON 613-267-4466 Students at Sweets Corners School performed on Tuesday afternoon for the Seniors Christmas Tea and again in the evening to more friends and family. See inside for more school pageant photos. Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. UCDSB schools headed for unsustainable enrolment Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. & Sun.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Westport Village Pharmacy 3 Church St., Westport, ON 613-273-2922 westportvillagepharmacy@gmail.com NOW AVAILABLE ANYDAY, ANYTIME *Including children ages 5 & over NOW AVAILABLE ANYDAY, ANYTIME Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES We pay the HST on all small APPLIANCES LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS! Review-Mirror holiday schedule This is the last issue of The Review-Mirror until the new year. Our office will close Tues., Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. and re-open Fri., Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. Our next issue is Jan. 8, 2015. Deadline is Jan. 5. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Review-Mirror Mirror The Review Christmas Greetings Edition See Pages 10-19 •Continued on page 3