The Chair for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board expects 2017 to be a strong year for the board.
Barb Holland says the difficult decisions on school closures have been made and she doesn't expect to have to revisit the issue in the foreseeable future.
"We're now looking at innovative programming, building on those successes with members of industry, with members of our community to ensure that kids are getting the best education they possibly can."
Holland says she's excited to see the $7.5-million rebuild of St. Bernard Elementary School open for the 2017-2018 school year.
"It's taken such a long time to get St. Bernard off the ground and now here we are. We are ready to go. This year we get to look forward to bringing three distinct communities together."
She says she can't wait to get into planning for the new $26-million Catholic Central high school.
"We're looking at something we've wanted and has been our number one priority for as long as I can remember," says Holland. "It's going to be great."
Holland adds, she expects there to be a number of what she calls "good news announcements" for the board in 2017.