PRSD board officially approves changes to New Brigden School

Prairie Rose School Division trustees confirmed Tuesday they would go ahead with plans to change New Brigden School to Grade 1-3. Trustees further voted to add a Grade 4 level, and to provide staffing for Kindergarten classes at New Brigden in a community council/school division co-management arrangement, putting the school in a solid position going forward if projected enrolment numbers hold.

The school only has four students enroled but with the addition of a Kindergarten class in 2017/18 there should be 13. It is also projected those enrolment numbers should rise slightly every year for the next three years afterward, possibly reaching 21 students by 2020/2021.

The board of trustees also agreed to a community proposal to allow the privately-run early childcare program in the hamlet to move into and use the school building’s facilities to further set New Brigden School up for success going forward.

Trustees were impressed with the grassroots community effort and organizers in New Brigden who worked so hard to keep their school open.

“One quote which was shared at the recent rural education symposium was: Those who say it can’t be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it,” said trustee Cathy Hogg, who led the praise of community members. “I think the community of New Brigden is a testament and example of that ... So, good stuff.”