As the Times-Advocate looks back on 2009, we wonder what lies ahead for 2010?

The past year was another struggle economically both locally and internationally, although with some signs that we’re all slowly digging ourselves out of a nasty recession. Still, layoffs continue and there are too many people unable to find work. We’re all hoping 2010 will serve up more good economic news for Canadians than did 2009.

But 2010 will no doubt have one thing in common with 2009 — the potential of school closures locally will continue to be a hot topic. In the South Huron/Bluewater region, five schools are being reviewed by the Avon Maitland District School Board, with the possibility that two of them could close — Usborne Central and either Zurich or Hensall public schools, according to a school board staff-preferred option released in October.

Trustees won’t make a decision on the schools’ fate until the spring, but no matter the decision, there will be a much different feeling in South Huron and Bluewater regarding school closures than there is in Lucan Biddulph, which is about to open a brand new, $9.1 million school in Lucan.

The Thames Valley District School Board decided to close Lucan Public, Biddulph Central and Prince Andrew schools and replace them with one new school in Lucan. So while there might be some sadness from current students, teachers and former students about the aforementioned schools closing, a new, state of the art multi-million dollar facility tends to take away a lot of the heartache. People are pretty excited about the new school in Lucan, called Wilberforce Public School.

When trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board make their decision about the South Huron/Bluewater schools in the spring, there likely won’t be much excitement. We can’t see a $9 million school being built here in the near future, although there’s no real telling what trustees will decide. We’ll likely see the announcement that one or two schools will be closed, with those students being moved into existing schools, at least that is what board staffers have proposed. There will likely be many upset and concerned parents. The students will probably adapt quicker to any resulting changes than their parents will.

The public process for the review of the five schools continues Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at Usborne Central School.