A series of open meetings is being held by the Simcoe County District School Board over the next week to give the public a chance to have their say about where new schools are needed and what repairs or expansion should be made to existing facilities.

The county was broken down into four areas and Accomodation Review Committees (ARCs) were formed to represent each of them.

Each ARC is required to host a minimum of four public meetings throughout the review process. The meetings provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the ongoing work of the ARC, to learn about the ARC’s recommendations to the board when available, and to submit comments to the committee.

The following is a list of upcoming public meeting dates:

ARC A - Orillia Secondary Schools

A Public Meeting will take place on Thurs., Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Twin Lakes Secondary School Cafetorium (381 Birch Street in Orillia).

ARC B - North and West Simcoe Secondary Schools

A Public Meeting will be held at Collingwood Collegiate Institute (6 Cameron Street, Collingwood) on Thurs., Nov. 20 starting at 7 p.m.

ARC D - South and West Simcoe Elementary Schools

A Public Meeting will take place on Tues., Nov. 25, 2008 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  at Tecumseth North Public School (4063 Sideroad 10).

ARC C, covering Central and South Barrie Elementary Schools held a public meeting on Oct. 28. The next Public Meeting for ARC C is planned for Jan. 13, 2009 - the time and location for this meeting will be determined shortly.

The board and committees encourage members of the public to submit written comments to each ARC at any time and to attend any of the working sessions as observers. The dates of working sessions are posted on the board's website, www.scdsb.on.ca.