By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

The government of Ontario is investing $5.1M into expanding Gosfield North Public School to include another 55 new elementary school spots in the brick-and-mortar building, in addition to 73 licensed childcare spaces as part of an all-day daycare.

“This school is very, very popular. People love coming to this school. They tell me all the time. Because so many people want to come to the school, we need to make this school bigger,” Essex MPP Anthony Leardi told the students invited to sit in on the announcement in the school library on Thursday, June 18.

The expansion will come off the hallway by the gymnasium, adding three classrooms for the school and four rooms for the childcare.

Shovels are expected to break ground in the summer of 2027, with an anticipated opening date of September 2028.

Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) CEO, Vicki Houston, thanked the Province of Ontario for the investment in the expansion project, which has made the addition possible.

This will be a project that will have a lasting and positive impact on the students, families, staff, and community, Houston said.

“Your school is going to be bigger. It is going to be better. And, you are going to have more spaces,” she said.

“The success and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” Houston commented. “The high-quality education that is delivered in our schools is made possible because of the dedication and expertise of school staff and through the essential work that happens behind the scenes.”

Childcare is a hot commodity, Houston added, referring to the new spaces that will be available at this school.

She said investment reflects a shared commitment to supporting the growing community and ensuring students have access to high-quality education and a learning environment within the community.

“Being within your community is critically important,” Houston said. School expansions prevent students from having to go to school outside their community.

Some questions from staff pointed out that the school currently has a portapack. It was noted the portapack will be removed after construction. Staff noted that it currently houses seven classrooms.

Huston said the GECDSB is always monitoring enrollment. When funding comes from the government, it is based on current enrollment. If there is growth, the school board goes back and could add portables at that point or apply for additional funding.

The portapack, she said, is not great. The school will have a brand-new facility. Principals are exceptional at organizing space, she added.

The project is early in the process. There will be an architect, and renderings will be brought forward for the school community to see. That process needs to be worked through; it was explained during the announcement.

The GECDSB also works with a planning group that forecasts enrollment projections going out over a number of years. They asked for trust in the process that the School Board will make it work out in a way that works great for the school.

Some of the students stole the show with their inquisitive questions, some asking thoughtful questions about the project. Others let curiosity get the best of them, asking why MPP Leardi dresses like the government. With glee, he responded because he is the local representative at Queen’s Park for the Provincial Government.

Information provided by Leardi’s office notes the Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario and ensure students have access to modern classrooms by investing $1.6B in 79 school construction projects across Ontario. The investments will support growing communities by creating over 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces, so students have the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers.