The future of the Saskatoon Christian School is uncertain as the Saskatoon Public Schools has ended its associate-school agreement with the independent school after 18 years.

Officials from the two organizations met on Oct. 28, at which time the school division told the Christian School it would be ending the agreement, as of June, 30 2020 — a move the executive director of the school said was unexpected.

"We were very surprised and obviously very disappointed with the Saskatoon Public School's decision to end, like I said, an 18-year partnership, because I thought it was a really good partnership," David Harris said.

Colleen MacPherson, chair of the school division's board of trustees, said she wishes the school all the best moving forward.

MacPherson said negotiations had not produced an agreement after two years, saying it was apparent the two organizations had "divergent goals and beliefs."

"We realized that we would not be able to reach an agreement that satisfied both parties," she said.

She would not provide details on factors that ended the agreement, because she was not present during negotiations. Talks of this nature are usually confidential, MacPherson added.

Curriculum rationale 'news to me,' says school official

MacPherson said that staff at the school are employees of Saskatoon Public Schools, and the division has a responsibility to ensure the provincial curriculum is being taught.

MacPherson said this includes the provincial Education Act and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

"It appeared that the Saskatoon Christian School wanted more control over what happens in classrooms," she said.

"While we respect their beliefs, that conflicted with our responsibility and our values and principles as a public school division."

When asked about MacPherson's reasoning, Harris replied: "That is news to me."

Executive Director of the Saskatoon Christian School David Harris said the end of the agreement between the school and the Saskatoon Public School Division may create some difficulty for the school moving forward. However, he said he's already looking for a new school division to partner with. (Saskatoon Christian School/Supplied)

He said the school did put forward some proposals around how students are classified — whether they're Saskatoon public students or Saskatoon Christian students — fund sharing and extending the amount of notice required before ending the agreement.

Harris noted that he offered to sign an agreement put forward by Saskatoon Public Schools when he found out the partnership was being terminated.

"We just took a shot in the dark and said: 'Well, if it's the proposed new version of the agreement, we'd be happy to sign the version that you proposed as a school division,'" he said.

"That didn't seem to be acceptable either."

Concern over school funding

He said the end of the agreement will create some challenges for the Saskatoon Christian School going forward, as without an affiliation with board, the school will see its funding reduced.

"I'm very concerned for the over 300 students we have here, the families, the staff that work here," he said.

When it comes to provincial funding, independent schools in Saskatchewan get roughly 50 per cent of the average of what school divisions get per student, but that number jumps to 80 per cent if the independent school is affiliated with a division.

Harris said the school is looking ahead and is hopeful it will find a new school board to form a partnership. Harris also said while he has reached out to numerous school divisions, he's still waiting for a response.

As for teaching staff at the Saskatoon Christian School, MacPherson said they will be offered positions within the division.