An Auckland Māori Catholic co-ed school will still receive $200,000 worth of state funding despite having only one student on its roll.
Hato Petera College Photo: Google Maps
Lex Hamill is currently the commissioner of Hato Pētera School on Auckland's North Shore and is in charge of the school's operational matters.
In his role, Mr Hamill looks over the school's curriculum, financial performance, student achievement and ensures students and teachers are safe.
This year the school was set to receive $330,000 from the Ministry of Education's operational grant fund for a projected roll of 15 students, Mr Hamill said.
However he said those funds would drop to around $200,000 with only one student currently at the school - although the salary of teachers did not come out of those funds.
There is currently a staff of four teachers and one administrator.
"Our issue with four teachers and also a limited number of students is (how) to offer a balanced programme," Mr Hamill said.
Hato Pētera first opened in 1928 but has suffered sharp reductions in its student numbers in recent years.
The school was currently in a state of disrepair, Mr Hamill said.
"When you walk around Hato Pētera it might be too strong a word - but the wairua is not as strong as it use to be."