Time has run out for Mirror School.
Wolf Creek Public Schools trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to close the school because of dwindling enrolment and high operating costs.
Beginning in September most students from the kindergarten to Grade 8 school will be bused to Alix, about 15 minutes away.
Trustee Donna Peterson said the community tried its best to boost enrolment after the prospect of losing its school was first brought up in 2005 when the number of students dipped below 70.
“At the time, I was optimistic it would turn around. There seemed to be a boom going on in Alberta.”
However, not enough of the newcomers to the community brought school-age children, and this year only about 44 children have been going to the school.
“They did everything they could to turn it around, but still enrolment continued to decline.”
Since there is another school nearby with spaces for students and more educational programs available it makes sense to close Mirror, she said.
“It’s very difficult,” said trustee Karin Engen of the decision. “The staff have done an excellent job out at Mirror. I know the students have been very happy.”
But students will have more recreational opportunities and educational options by going to larger schools in the division, she said.
The school’s small size meant classes were grouped together, with kindergarten to Grade 3 students in the classroom of one teacher.
Continuing to run the school also came at a steep cost — $11,000 per student at Mirror compared with $6,300 at other schools.
Wolf Creek superintendent Larry Jacobs said an exact estimate has not been compiled but closing the school is expected to save between $400,000 and $500,000 a year. Other positions will be sought for the seven full- and part-time staff at Mirror, including four teachers, a principal, teaching assistants and office staff.
The school division will now look for options on what to do with the school’s two buildings. A Christian school has suggested it may be interested in operating out of the space in a partnership with Wolf Creek.