The Barr Colony School is facing possible closure as one of the options presented to parents at a meeting with Lloydminster Public School Division or LPSD.
A decade-old mould issue is at the heart of the school’s grief.
On Monday, Nov. 6, the school community was told of three options. David Thompson, chair told the meeting that the school could be closed and students sent to other schools with certain sections of the school being repurposed, that the school could be repaired or thirdly that everything stays as is, but monitoring and maintenance measures will be put in place.
In 2013, efforts were made to address the mould issue by drying out the space and installing spray foam. Parent, Karly Macdonald says that “no comprehensive damage reassessment was conducted for a decade.”
In Oct. 2023, “a limited structural report from Robb and Kullman Engineering found no additional issues in the crawl space, except for minor rot on a few joists at the north exterior building face, which they recommended for repair and reinforcement.”
Macdonald, who moved to Lloydminster says they purchased their home near the elementary school for the benefit of their child, and the family does not favour having to move to another school.
Meanwhile, in a statement, David Thompson says that a feasibility study is underway, the division is receiving feedback, and no decision has been taken.
The school has 274 enrolled with a building capacity of 311, according to LPSD enrollment and utilization rates.
The LPSD board is to meet on Nov. 22.
