In under three weeks, bells will ring in the new school year.

While students enjoy their summer, school divisions have been preparing and planning for their return.

Shawn Davidson, the president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, said that compared to the last two years, he feels like this year will be smoother.

“I can think parents can expect to have a relatively smooth return to school,” he said. “I know that this is the time when school divisions all around the province prep. Putting all their plans in place for back to school and making sure that the facilities, staff, and divisions are ready.”

Davidson said while divisions are excited to welcome students back, this school won’t be without its challenges.

“Parents and families are going to experience some changes within their schools related to what was another difficult budget for school divisions,” he said. “School divisions had to make some adaptations due to years of chronic underfunding, and this was a year where some of those really tough decisions were made for many of our members.”

As for any COVID concerns from parents, Davidson said the last two years had given divisions plenty of practice in adapting.

“Should there be a situation arise that medical health officers make recommendations, then school divisions will be prepared to adapt to that,” he said. “We know that this is an unpredictable situation, and we’ve dealt with that unpredictable situation for a couple of years, and we are prepared to adapt to that if we need to.”

Overall he said that school divisions and their staff are very excited to welcome students back.