The Prairie South School Division’s board of education has approved starting the process to sell Empire and Westmount schools, pending approval from the Ministry of Education.
In order to list the schools for sale, the division must first receive permission from the ministry. Prairie South sent a request letter to the ministry on April 7 and is currently awaiting a response.
Prairie South superintendent of business and chief financial officer Ron Purdy said the division is also seeking approval to use a real estate agent for the sale.
“The one time we tendered, we got next to nothing, so I would really like to see a real estate agent get us to the right market,” Purdy told the board.
The motion passed stated: “That the board direct administration to begin the process to sell Empire and Westmount schools upon receipt of approval from the minister and according to any instructions he may issue.” However, some trustees raised concerns about the wording.
Trustee Lew Young said he was worried the motion could remove the board’s final authority over the sale of the schools.
“I would hope, even during the summer, if we had a request to sell, and the government says that looks okay, it’s still the board of education — the people at this table — that get to make the final decision,” said Young.
Purdy clarified that the ministry typically requires surplus properties to be sold through public tender or auction. Whether the division will be permitted to use a real estate agent remains uncertain.
“The actual regulations say we are supposed to sell either by tender or by public auction. So, he [the minister] may come back and say you can't sell through a real estate agent — you have to follow the rules,” said Purdy.
If approval is granted, 90 per cent of the net proceeds from the sale will be placed in a reserve fund for future capital expenses. The remaining 10 per cent can be used at the board’s discretion.
The division noted that once a school is declared surplus, provincial funding ends. As a result, the board hopes to sell the buildings quickly to reduce maintenance costs.
Empire and Westmount schools will close at the end of the current school year, with the new Coteau Hills Elementary School expected to open this fall.