A former director of a private Christian school in Saskatoon has been sentenced to 23 months of jail time to be served in the community after admitting to physically assaulting students. The man, whose sentencing was handed down on December 4, 2025, stated in court that he was following instructions when he hit children.
Court Hears Director Was 'Told What to Do'
The case, reported by Laura Woodward, revealed disturbing details about discipline practices at the institution. The former director did not dispute the allegations but provided a stark justification for his actions. "I was told what to do," he told the court, indicating he believed he was acting under authority or following established protocols at the school.
This admission raises significant questions about the culture and oversight within the private school setting. The judge's decision to impose a 23-month conditional sentence means the individual will not serve time in a traditional correctional facility but will be under strict supervision in the community with conditions that likely include house arrest, curfews, and mandatory programming.
Sentencing Sparks Discussion on School Accountability
The sentencing concludes a legal process that has drawn attention to the boundaries of corporal punishment and authority in educational environments. While the specifics of the assaults were not detailed in the initial report, the conviction confirms that the actions crossed a legal line.
Cases like this often prompt broader conversations about child safety, the responsibilities of school administrators, and the mechanisms for reporting and investigating abuse in private institutions. The conditional sentence allows for rehabilitation while holding the individual accountable through the criminal justice system.
Broader Implications for Educational Institutions
This incident serves as a critical reminder for all schools regarding their duty of care. It underscores the necessity for clear, legal, and ethical policies on student discipline that are consistently communicated and enforced. Parents and regulators will be watching closely to see how similar institutions review and reinforce their own practices to prevent such events.
The outcome in Saskatoon Provincial Court on December 4, 2025, marks a significant moment of legal accountability, though it also leaves unresolved questions about who, if anyone, provided the alleged instructions and what systemic changes will follow to protect students in the future.
