It is now a case of waiting to see what happens to Rotary Park School after the final consultation meeting this week, which gave submitters a chance to save the collapsing school from closure.
Rotary Park School commissioner Cleave Hay met staff, parents and community members on Tuesday night, where he read a letter from Education Minister Hekia Parata confirming the school was to continue the process towards closure.
While there was support for keeping the school open, only 10 pupils were expected to return to the school next year, and many in the community were beginning to accept the school would eventually close, Mr Hay said.
An open forum was held to discuss all facets of the closure process, possible options and the next steps, he said.
Questions were also posed about the professional future of the staff.
"Those attending the meeting expressed their admiration and respect for the staff and their handling of matters throughout these stressful times.
"As commissioner, and on behalf of the community, I wish to affirm that the high level of teaching and student achievement at Rotary Park School continues to be delivered, and the professional attitude of all involved is well recognised and respected."
Questions were also raised about the progress of the employment dispute involving principal Carmel Casey.
However, Mr Hay declined to comment on the recently released independent report into the dispute.
"I consider that the information contained in the report is very personal to all those named in the report; is an employment related matter; and is presently being used in industrial relations negotiation and decision making."
Mr Hay now has up to 28 days to respond to the Ministry of Education with any new information or argument in support of the school remaining open. Ms Parata will then either confirm the school will remain open, or will set a date for closure.
