The Simcoe County District School Board plans to close 20 rooms at Midland Secondary School next year in an effort to save money.

Midland is just one of the schools closing rooms to save money on heating and cleaning costs as part of the board’s 2008/2009 budget. James Keating, Mundy’s Bay and Penetanguishene Secondary School will also be affected.

Trustees approved the board’s operating budget of $457,541,400 and the capital budget of $15,497,300 late Wednesday night.

The budget includes the closing of 168 rooms and having a number of high schools switch to double lunches, a system which timetables students so half the school has lunch at one time while the others are in class.

By closing rooms and switching to double lunches, the board predicts it will save $3,295,000 next year.

The rooms shut off in the school will be locked and heating and air conditioning will be shut off.

Portables will be locked and have heat and air conditioning turned off completely.

The board will also save by not having to purchase new portables to replace old ones.

Board staff provided trustees with a proposed list of classrooms to close on Wednesday.

Schools switching to a double lunch are Bradford District High School, Collingwood Collegiate Institute and Penetanguishene Secondary School.

Barrie North Collegiate will make a switch to a triple lunch.

Although originally in the running to switch to a double lunch, Orillia’s Twin Lakes Secondary School will remain a single lunch due to a transportation issue.

Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute and Orillia Park Street Collegiate will also maintain a single lunch in 2008/2009 because there would be no savings to the board if they made the switch.

Elementary Classroom Closures:
James Keeting Elementary School – 4
Mundy’s Bay Public School – 2

Secondary Classroom Closures:
Midland Secondary School – 20
Penetanguishene Secondary School – 3