The likely closure of Paerau School was a "sad state of affairs, but reality happens" Maniototo Community Board chairman Barry Becker said yesterday.
The school board and community have asked the Ministry of Education to close the 97-year-old school in the Styx Valley, as there are no longer any pupils and few prospective enrolments.
A ministry spokesman said Education Minister Hekia Parata would make the final decision, but, as there were no pupils enrolled, it was expected the school could close immediately following a decision.
In the meantime, principal Steve Harley would remain on the payroll. As the school was still open, the principal continued to be employed, the spokesman said.
Schools' staffing entitlements were confirmed by the March 1 roll return each year, and this guaranteed the minimum staffing level for the year.
If Ms Parata agreed to close the school, the principal would be entitled to the options provided under the Primary Principals' Collective Agreement, the spokesman said.
Mr Harley has been principal for six and a-half years. He declined to comment yesterday on the potential closure of the school.
Principals at Tomahawk and Waldronville Schools were in a similar position in early 2010, with the schools earmarked for closure and no pupils enrolled, but the schools technically open for business until the formalities of closing the facilities were finalised.
In 2010, the Otago Daily Times reported that Paerau's only two pupils were the principal's children. Since then, the roll has continued to fluctuate and the 2012 year started with a roll of four pupils - all siblings from another family, who had since left the area.
Mr Becker said it was a real shame the school was closing "but probably it's a sign of the times".
He praised the community and board for battling so many years and doing all they could to keep the school open.
