MORE SCHOOL DIVISIONS SUCCESSFULLY RESTRUCTURE

Released on June 1, 1998

Education Minister Pat Atkinson today announced that nine more school

divisions will come together as a result of the government's policy of

local determination for school division amalgamation.



"This marks the first time in many years that we will have fewer than

100 school divisions in Saskatchewan," Atkinson said. "This is

17 per cent fewer school divisions than we had before we started our

restructuring effort in December 1996. It affects 20 per cent of all

students in the province outside of Saskatoon and Regina."



The minister congratulated the Francophone education community for

initiating the restructuring from nine governance boards to one

central board with parent and community representative councils in

every school. Minister Atkinson moved second reading of legislative

amendments to accommodate the Francophone amalgamation today.



"During the 1996 public consultations education stakeholders and the

public told us they wanted restructuring to be locally determined with

provincial leadership," Atkinson said. "Other provinces have forced

school division amalgamation. In Saskatchewan, we have supported a

voluntary process. I congratulate those school divisions who have

voluntarily done what is in the best interest of their students."



This amalgamation, along with amalgamations in the fall of 1997

when 20 school divisions restructured into 8 new school

divisions, reduces the total number in Saskatchewan from 119

to 99.



According to Atkinson, the direct educational benefits of

restructuring have just begun to show in the new school

divisions. These benefits include increased access for teachers

and students to a broader base of specialized support personnel

and resource material.



"I recently concluded a series of meetings with school trustees

and teachers all across the province where I encouraged them to

maintain this positive momentum on restructuring," Atkinson said.

"I am looking forward to building on our successes and continuing

to improve the quality of education for Saskatchewan students."



-30-



For more information, contact:



Ernie Cychmistruk

Education

Regina

Phone: (306)787-5592