by Glenn Taylor
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Sep 12/97) - Bernie MacLean is a man with a mission.

As the new principal at Samuel Hearne, MacLean has some big challenges ahead. Years of chronic absences and poor graduation rates at the school were targeted aggressively earlier this year by the District Education Authority, which implemented strict attendance and discipline policies. MacLean's job for the next five years is to ensure the ship stays on course.

But before he takes the gloves off, he says he'll need to soak up some education of his own. The largest challenges for him for the first few months, he said, are personal ones.

"I need to get to know the culture and adapt to the climate," he said.

"I want to give each student the best possible education we can give them," said MacLean. "That's true of every school in the country. But first, I have to learn myself. I've seen a lot of good things already."

MacLean gives credit to the recently implemented discipline and attendance policies. "They are well done, and clearly laid out," said MacLean. "It's important the students know where they stand, and I'll continue to support these policies."

MacLean, 52, was most recently principal of two schools in Canso, a quiet fishing community of 1,500 in Nova Scotia. With more than 30 years experience in school administration, he has the tools to get the job done here.

But why the North? "It's a challenge, I guess," said MacLean. "I wanted to do something new, something different. I'm enjoying what I'm doing, otherwise I wouldn't be here."