Sask. town fears school closure could mean bleak future for community
CTV
Residents in a Saskatchewan town fear the closure of Grades 7 to 12 at the local school may be a setback the community won't be able to recover from.
Residents in a Saskatchewan town fear the closure of Grades 7 to 12 at the local school may be a setback the community won't be able to recover from.
The town of Arborfield, located about 265 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, filed for a court injunction in August, after parents learned in February the North East School Division was planning on closing classrooms in its school.
In affidavits to King’s Bench Judge John Morrall, residents of Arborfield, Sask. shared concerns about how the North East School Division’s cuts would affect their livelihoods.
Some were concerned it would be harder to attract people to work and live in the town if it “does not have a school.”
Water treatment plant operator Ryan Thompson was worried a loss of population in the town could threaten his job.
An employee at the Arborfield Co-op said the loss of older students buying food at lunch would also have an impact on their business.
The division’s Director of Education Stacey Lair cited the condition of the school and low enrollment projections as part of the reason for the move.
