Holy Rosary to stay open for now while search on to find partner
Regina's Holy Rosary School has some breathing room after the Regina Catholic School Board voted to extend the elementary school's review period until Dec. 31, 2021.
In that time the school must find “sustainable partners and develop a board-approved business plan.” Should the school fail to find partners, the Regina Catholic School Board will move to close the school on June 30, 2022.
In practical terms that means the school will be open for another full scholastic year.
Board chairperson Vicky Bonnell said the initial decision to put the school up for the review in October 2020 and the decision on Monday night comes down to enrolment at the school and the board's fiduciary responsibility.
“That's just doing our fiscal responsibility, monitoring all of our schools. Holy Rosary has low enrolment and projected enrolments were not to be very significant for the next few years,” said Bonnell.
Bonnell, who does not vote on matters unless it is to break a tie, said the partner they're looking for is one that “respects and embraces our Catholic values.”
“As far as which partners, we are leaving that open. We don't want to limit that to any one kind of partner. We're looking for whoever is interested,” said Bonnell.
Following Monday's meeting, the school board struck a committee that will look for potential partnerships that could lead to a tenant in the building.
Bonnell clarified that this does not necessarily mean that the school board is looking for a business to move into the school, adding any organization that would adhere to the board's Catholic values would be acceptable. Before and after school programming or daycares, community organizations could be considered as partners for the school, said Bonnell.
“What do they bring to enhance or contribute to the school and community,” said Bonnell, clarifying the criteria.
Though the school has been under review, Bonnell said the plan here is to keep the school open, saying closure is not preferred. The neighbourhood is meant to grow, but at the moment Holy Rosary's enrolment has not, according to the school board.
“We're not in the business of wanting to close schools,” said Bonnell.
“There was space left in that school with the low enrolment so in order to enhance that school environment we'd love to see a partnership involved there.”
The committee is set to meet this week to discuss what that partnership will look like.
As far as which partners, we are leaving that open. We don't want to limit that to any one kind of partner.