PRAIRIE SPIRIT SCHOOL DIVISION – LAIRD SCHOOL REVIEW
After passing a motion at its meeting on September 22, the Prairie Spirit Board of Education is conducting a review of Laird School to evaluate its operations and consider options such as discontinuing certain grades or closing the school, in accordance with The School Division Administration Regulations. This step is being taken due to current enrolment trends at the school and the needs of the school facility. There will be no changes to Laird School during this current school year.
UPDATE: The Prairie Spirit Board of Education gives notice that the school review process regarding the viability of Laird School will continue.
The Board passed the following motion on January 19:
THAT the Board of Education continues with a school review of the viability of Laird School with the potential closure of the school or discontinuance of one or more
grades taught in the school, as the case may be, with the potential effective date of June 30, 2026.
The next step in the school review process is a Meeting of Electors, which will be held before the end of March. It is important to note that a final decision about the future of Laird School has not yet been made. The Board is following the school review process as detailed in The School Division Administration Regulations.
School Review Committee
As part of the legislated school review process, a School Review Committee was formed with representation from the Laird School Community Council and the local Rural Municipalities and the Village of Laird. The School Review Committee provided a formal report to the Board of Education for the January 19 Board meeting.
| Julie Shaw-Bergen, Chairperson | Laird School SCC member |
| Julia Neufeldt, Secretary | Laird School SCC member |
| Kathryn Jacques | Laird School SCC Member |
| Tammy Slingerland | Laird School SCC Member |
| Abe Guenter, Councillor | Village of Laird |
| Josh Dueck, resident | Village of Laird |
| Charles Krikau, Councillor | RM of Rosthern |
| Garry Bergen, ratepayer | RM of Laird |
More information:
Letter to Laird families – January 23 2026: Letter-to-Laird-families-Laird-Review.pdf
The School Division Administration Regulations: RRS c E-0.2 Reg 26 | The School Division Administration Regulations | CanLII
School Review timeline: J-Viable-School-Calendar-Guidelines
Board policy: 323 – Viable Schools.pdf
Please note that the Board’s policy regarding school review – Board Policy 343 – Viable Schools – was recently updated to reflect provincial legislation.
