The year 2007 was a difficult one for the Town of Francis as the Prairie Valley School Division announced the closing of their school in May.

"It is something hard to deal with, but the school board made their decision even though we have a perfectly good building," said Mayor Cliff Knoll.

High school students at Francis are now bused to Vibank and the elementary school students are bused to Sedley, a system criticized by many parents in the area. As for the building, the town is waiting to hear back from the Prairie Valley School Division.

"Town council and the school board met back in October and we were offered the chance to buy or lease the building. We are still waiting to hear back from them. They just aren't giving us any answers," Knoll said.

On the positive side, Francis continues to grow with no lots available. They are planning to add new lots in the new year and a few of them are already spoken for.

"The way we are going, we are looking at new tax dollars with the new lots coming in," Knoll said.

The town is also planning to expand the water purification plant. The expansion is planned for the spring.