Sask. community will 'stand strong' to keep local school open, mayor says
Sask. community will 'stand strong' to keep local school open, mayor says
A possible school closure in the Saskatchewan community of Arborfield has residents – including the mayor – upset.
The North East School Division (NESD) is reviewing the Arborfield school, which may lead to a decision to close the school, however, the mayor says the community wants the school to stay open.
“There are many young families in the Arborfield/Zenon Park area that want this school to remain for many years,” Chet Edwards told CTV News.
The students would instead attend school in Carrot River where a new school is under construction, roughly 25 kilometres away.
“To the community, this school means a walk to school versus an (hour-and-half)-plus bus ride one way for some kids, three hours on a bus per day is not educational for any age of person,” he said.
“To this community, this school means walking to a family’s house after school for child care versus no child care available in Carrot River due to being too full and no daycare attached to the new school being built in Carrot River. To the community, this school means opportunities that don’t involve driving to them but walking to them or walking home from them," he said.
"To this community, this school means many very important things in the upbringing of kids.”
Edwards said families in Arborfield are not against the new school in Carrot River but want their school to stay open.
“We have no negative remarks for that wonderful building, but we stand strong that we want our school here at home, in our hometown, to stay as is with the kids in it.”
NESD's director of education said the school division understands the emotion around the school review.
“Anytime that there's talks about discontinuance or anything that involves the school in any significant way, of course, the community would be involved,” Stacy Lair said. “People move to rural Saskatchewan specifically for experiences like that, and know that the community and the school are very closely connected.”
She said the families are invested in the school in their community, which was a testament to the importance of education.
Lair said the decision to review the Arborfield school was prompted by regulatory requirements.
According to Lair, as of September 30, there were 67 students from K to 12 at the school.
However, Edward said those numbers were expected to rise over the coming years.
“In (2023-24) there is an expected 83 students with the possibility of over 90,” he said, adding that in (2024-25) there was an expected 92 students, the year after that the school was expected to be at 96 students, 102 students for (2026-27) and 114 the year after that."
“The numbers look good, they just grow and grow and grow.”
Lair said the increasing number of students was something that would be part of the review.
“They've had a group of younger families move in so we do have some in our projection,” she said. “That's one of the considerations the board will take into account. They had original numbers based on data with health rates. Then we do rely on the community and the RM to provide us some actuals based on what they know because they know their community best.”
Lair said the review process needs to be completed by April 30, but that the board could make a decision on the school sooner than that.
“The board may try and make their decision prior to their April meeting if they can, but in the same way, they do want to make sure that they have all of the information they need. It's a decision that weighs very heavy on them because of the importance of that in terms of the school experience for under 100 students, which is a significant number of students and for the community as well.”
She said the decision will be based on what is best for learning and the well-being of students as well as teachers and staff.
“I think the way that everyone is approaching it (that way) and having some open dialogue is really appreciated by the division and the board.”
As Joe Biden makes his first trip to Canada as president of the United States, CTVNews.ca is offering live coverage of the leader's visit. Follow our live blog on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app for the latest updates.
U.S. President Joe Biden arrived on Parliament Hill saying that he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "have a lot to talk about," but that it's great to be in Canada.
Notable people will be in attendance at Friday’s gala dinner with U.S. President Joe Biden, hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, including former prime ministers and celebrities.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
The United States' first lady was given a sweeping introduction to Canadian sports culture in Ottawa today as Sophie Gregoire Trudeau took Jill Biden to the curling rink.
W5 investigates aging asbestos pipes across Canada and the potential health hazards if it ends up in your tap water. Watch W5's 'Something in the Water' Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.
Short-term rental company Airbnb says it will pull listings that don't have a proper permit from the Quebec government. The San Francisco-based company made the announcement eight days after a fatal fire destroyed an Old Montreal building that housed illegal rentals.
An Ontario couple has filed a request with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) to appoint a new police force to investigate the death of their 17-year-old son Benjamin, who died during a hockey team-bonding event in September 2019.
A husband and wife currently travelling from British Columbia to New Brunswick are hoping Regina police will be able to track down a box containing the ashes of a loved one after it was allegedly stolen from their vehicle.
A Manitoba First Nation is enacting measures to combat an ongoing drug and addiction crisis while also calling on the federal and provincial governments to do more to address drug-related deaths within northern remote Indigenous communities.
Manitoba’s labour force is growing at a rate to supply enough workers for available positions into 2026, according to the province’s labour market outlook.
Calgary police have released photos of a man and vehicle believed to be involved in a case of road rage last month that left the victim with substantial injuries.
The Calgary Police Service confirms charges have been laid against a driver in connection with Thursday's crash of a semi-truck into the 32nd Avenue N.E. overpass along Deerfoot Trail.
A tuition increase of 5.5 per cent for domestic students and international students who were admitted before the start of the 2020 academic year was approved by the University of Alberta Friday morning.
An astrophotographer from southern Ontario captured Thursday night’s display of the Aurora Borealis and has offered some tips and tricks for catching a glimpse of them yourself tonight.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Security footage from a Hamilton beauty salon shows the moment in which an esthetician was allegedly attacked by a client after a disagreement over services.
U.S. President Joe Biden arrived on Parliament Hill saying that he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "have a lot to talk about," but that it's great to be in Canada.
The City of Vancouver has asked a group of volunteers keeping vigil over a temporary residential school memorial at the Vancouver Art Gallery to remove the tribute.
Short-term rental company Airbnb says it will pull listings that don't have a proper permit from the Quebec government. The San Francisco-based company made the announcement eight days after a fatal fire destroyed an Old Montreal building that housed illegal rentals.
Canada and the United States are negotiating a deal that could see asylum seekers turned back at irregular border crossings across the border, including Roxham Road in Quebec.
For the first time, the owner of a building in Old Montreal has responded to questions about the fire — through his lawyer — addressing allegations that the building was unsafe.
The mother of a Victoria child who disappeared without a trace 32 years ago Friday says she believes her son is still alive. Michael Dunahee disappeared around 12:30 p.m. on March 24, 1991. The four-year-old boy was last seen on the playground at Blanshard School, his family a short distance away.
Housing advocates in Nova Scotia say the provincial budget neglects people struggling with affordability and those on the edge of experiencing homelessness.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
A London man was arrested early Friday morning after being spotted throwing a cinder block through the front door of a restaurant, according to police.
