The Dunster Fine Arts School Society emerged from meetings with School District 57 in September, with what they wanted – transfer of the building into their possession, and the chance that students could be returning to classes as soon as November. 

The discussions ended on Sept. 28, when SD57 agreed to terms that would transfer the title of the now-closed school into the society’s hands, ending weeks of in-camera meetings. 

“We were extremely excited and relieved. This has been going on for months,” said Chris Taylor from the Dunster Fine Arts School Society. 

Board Chairperson Lyn Hall said the transfer of land has set a major precedent for other communities struggling to keep the doors of rural schools open. 

“It’s great to finalize the deal and I think it’s really unique,” said Hall.

The society has agreed to a deal to pay $39,500 over seven years. They have paid a $3,000 down-payment already, with a total mortgage value of $36,500. 

Earlier in negotiations, Taylor said there were concerns about the school board selling a building and land back to the community that had originally donated it. During the in-camera meetings, the reason for selling the property back at market value was explained. Because school land is publically owned, it is owned by all people of the province, and giving land away to a society would not be in the public interest. Therefore, the land and building are being sold back at market value. 

Within three to four weeks, students could once again be sitting down to classes within the Dunster Fine Arts School. Hall said he’s unclear how the teaching structure will look, but confirms that the school board will not be involved in curriculum, or teaching. 

Taylor said the volunteer support from the Dunster community has been overwhelming. Former and current teachers have come forward to offer their services. 

“It’s just amazing,” Taylor said, adding that currently, seven students are enrolled in distance education that has provided them with books and school work since the 2010/11 school year began in September. 

“I don’t think it’s an issue at all to continue to educate them this way,” Taylor said. 

Originally nine students were being home schooled, but two have since moved on to public schools. Altogether, 27 students in Grades K to 7 were affected by the closure of the school. Many of those students went on to schools in McBride and Valemount.

“They seem to be adjusting fairly well,” Taylor said of the relocated students. 

Hall agrees that the students have adjusted to the change of school.

“It’s a different facility, different classmates,” he said. “We have heard that they’re doing very well.”

Most likely the school will feature home schooling by local parents, but the society could continue to utilize the school district’s Centre for Learning Alternatives, a program that provides distance education programs. The society could pursue having a teacher return to the school in 2011. 

“It seems quite possible for a teacher for next year,” Taylor said. 

The precedent-setting decision has opened up a new option for other districts with rural schools being forced to close, Hall said.

“I think it gives other school districts another option,” he said. “This has really turned out to be a partnership.” 

Keeping students in their communities for education has a number of important benefits.

“There’s no question that there are benefits,” Hall said, adding that parents are generally closer to their children and can take part in school activities more. “They’re more able to participate.” 

Students also don’t have to take a lengthy bus ride to get to classes everyday. 

Closing a school is not a decision the school board takes lightly, especially in a close-knit community like Dunster. 

“That’s why it makes it very difficult to close a school,” Hall said, adding that when he signed up to be on the board, closing schools was not something he wanted to be doing. “It’s a trend and unfortunately you have no choice but to make these tough decisions.” 

Hall points to the high cost of maintaining rural schools for the closure of some schools in the province, a problem that will continue until more students enter into the public school system.  

“Until our declining enrolment sees a plateau, we’re going to have challenges.”