by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 22/97) - Garth Wallbridge wants to have a say about education in Yellowknife.

As the newest trustee on the public school board, he can do just that.

"People know that I'm both interested in communities as well as education," said Wallbridge, a father of two children who attend Ecole Allain St. Cyr.

For this reason, he believes that he has a lot to contribute.

Wallbridge answered an ad in the newspaper to replace Dave Turner, who left the North to retire. He will finish this term and then decide if he will run again next fall.

Wallbridge is already a busy community activist. He is vice-president of Junior Achievement, a member of the Rotary Club, and president of the Yellowknife First Night Society.

As a lawyer and businessman who has lived in the North for more than 18 years -- in Coral Harbour and Rankin Inlet before Yellowknife -- he believes that his extensive background in the NWT will be an asset.

While he's interested in all facets of education, Wallbridge said he's keen to look at ways to prepare students for the future -- namely by recognizing the power of the computer.

"I think most people agree we've moved way beyond the three Rs," said Wallbridge. "I don't feel that we've come to realize just how much computers have changed the classroom."

"We need computer arts like we need language arts. It's fundamental."

In facing difficult issues such as cutbacks and problems in the classroom, Wallbridge said part of the solution is to look at what teachers are faced with in the classroom.

"Teaching has got to be one of the toughest -- if not the toughest -- job there is," he said. "We trust our kids with them all day long, five days a week. I'm paying for someone to look after my kids."

Wallbridge will be serving on the policy and safe schools committee.