A court ruling late last week will force non-catholic students back into public schools.

Saskatchewan Judge Donald Layh ruled last Thursday that the Saskatchewan government has to stop paying for non-Catholic students to attend Catholic schools in the province.

The judge's order will have widespread ramifications when applied in June of 2018.

"It was something we hadn't hope for," Geri Hall, Director of Education for Holy Trinity Catholic School Division said Monday afternoon. "It's certainly going to cause some anxiety now, but we believe that we need to let the process unravel. That will allow our people to actually have a good look at what this judgement is saying, then with certainty what impact it has."

The judge's decision on the 12-year court case between the Good Spirit School Division No. 204 and Christ the Teacher Roman Catholic Separate School Division No. 212 is 240 pages long.

"It's very imperative that our lawyers on the Catholic side have a look at it," Hall said after the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Separate School Division board meeting in Swift Current. "Once they have had a chance to actually dissect it, then they will be able to let us know what it means."

Saskatchewan Education Minister Don Morgan said if the ruling is applied it would cost an average of $10,000 a year for a non-Catholic student to attend Catholic schools.

The Premier of Saskatchewan and Swift Current MLA Brad Wall also shared his thought's via Facebook Monday morning.

"Like many Saskatchewan parents and students, I am very disappointed and concerned by the recent court ruling that will force non-Catholic students out of Catholic schools," he stated. "Your government is examining all legal and legislative options to reverse this ruling."

The government of Saskatchewan has 30 days to file an appeal on Judge Layh's ruling, but an extension could be granted.