While the board was officially established on January 1, 1998, many of the administrative positions lasted until the beginning of May in 1998.

In 1998, under Progressive Conservative Premier Mike Harris's government, the way public schools were funded dramatically changed.

Among the changes, the province replaced local boards' power to levy taxes to fund schools with a centralized system of education grants.

The new regime was accompanied by a law forcing school boards to adopt balanced budgets.

These changes contributed to school closures and consolidations in the Grand Erie Board.

Nixon Public School was located near Simcoe, Ontario; it along with Lyndoch were closed and consolidated at an enlarged Walsh Elementary.