BREAKING: Star City School to close next July

“The K to 6…only had 16 students left,” explained Lair. “The SCC and community at large, I would say, felt like it was a likely decision the board would make.”

With Star City’s low enrollment, the cost per student was also a factor in the school’s closure. Lair said the cost in Star City per student was nearly $22,000, while the schools in Melfort and Tisdale – where students will go after Star City closes – the average cost is about $9,800 per student.

Lair said the SCC, families, and school and division staff will work together to formulate a transition plan, so everyone knows whether they’re attending school in Melfort or Tisdale, transportation options next fall, and other details.

The division made the decision to make Star City School a K to 6 facility instead of K to 12, in hopes of creating stability in the early years and that families would opt to stay to have a transition to a larger learning environment in Tisdale or Melfort.

“That just ended up not being the case.”

Lair said after the school’s closure, the division will find Star City staff a suitable location for them. She added that there is often movement within schools through transfers or retirements, which are announced in the spring.

For now, Lair said the goal of the division and Star City staff members is to make the final year of the school a celebration, and the conclusion of a wonderful learning experience in their many decades of operation.

“To end the year with lots of good opportunities for student learning and experiences beyond the classroom,” Lair said. “To make it a celebration year for them to close the school off.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

BREAKING: Star City School to close next July

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