No delay to start of school year after Bethlehem high school fire

A fire at Bethlehem Catholic High School a week ago is not extinguishing plans for students to be back in class as scheduled next month.

Diane Boyko, board chair for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, said plans for students returning to the classroom are proceeding as usual. She said staff will return on Aug. 25 and students will follow on Sept. 2.

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“Everything is as normal,” she shared. “We’ve had our staff working really hard to take a look at the scheduling that needs to happen.”

Boyko said the school division is grateful for the quick response from the Saskatoon Fire Department, “because it could have been a lot worse.

“I think they mitigated a lot of things that could have happened just because of how quick that they were on the scene in the main area of the building,” she said.

“We’re just so grateful for them for the professionalism that they exhibited… and also all of the people that are helping at this point.”

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools says there won’t be any delays to the start of the school year after a blaze at Bethlehem Catholic High School on Aug. 7, 2026. (Roman Hayter/650 CKOM)

The school suffered smoke and water damage as a result of the fire. Boyko said Saskatoon Fire and Flood has been at their building, as well as staff, helping to clean the main area, which she said is “all good to go.”

According to Boyko, four portable classrooms that were being built at the school were completely destroyed in the fire. She called them “a total write-off.”

Twenty-two other portables were in the vicinity, and some sustained damage from the fire, as well as smoke and water damage. Boyko said assessors will determine what next steps are required, and whether those units will need to be refurbished or rebuilt.

“All of that still remains to be seen until all the inspections are done,” she shared.

Boyko said she expects to learn how much of the damage will be covered by insurance within the next week or two.

“It’s been a real community effort, I guess I would say, and we’re just thankful for everyone for doing their part in a circumstance that isn’t ideal,” Boyko said.

The school isn’t in need of any donations, as Boyko said the costs are “all basically covered.”

While there have been some online fundraising efforts for the school in the wake of the fire, Boyko said the concerns are appreciated. The school division is not, however, endorsing or verifying any fundraising efforts outside of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Inc., she noted.

“It’s a really good place. Bethlehem has a wonderful community, and for everyone wanting to be able to assist in any way possible is very much appreciated,” she said.

“It’s hard to believe it was only a week ago today that the fire was there, and there’s been so much outreach that’s happened. So we’re very grateful for the community for understanding. It’s not just a school that had a circumstance. This is a community, and so then a community response is lovely to see.”

The fire, which Saskatoon police described as “suspicious,” bears similarity to a 2009 fire at the same school, which also occurred inside portable classrooms that were under construction. Police determined that fire to be a case of arson, but no one was arrested in connection with the case.

Boyko said the division is waiting to see what information police provide about the fire after officers have finished investigating.