Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 06/98) - A Yellowknife parent has taken her concerns public about the Yellowknife Education District No. 1's handling of a lawsuit.

Ardith Dean is circulating a petition calling on the board to hold a public meeting to discuss issues arising out of a lawsuit filed by the board's superintendent, Dr. Ken Woodley.

The suit names CJCD, station employees Karl Geraghty and Brent Pushkarenko and parent Laurie Sarkadi. Woodley is seeking $50,000 for defamation damages, $5,000 for punitive damages and compensation for legal costs over stories about the board's child abuse prevention protocol broadcast in December of 1997.

The board is paying Woodley's costs.

Dean's petition asks the board to reveal how much public money has been spent in legal fees; whether there is a ceiling on what the board is willing to pay; on what basis did the board decide to pay for a lawsuit initiated by an employee; is a precedent set when the board pays for a case against individuals who question the actions of administrators, especially as it pertains to the child abuse protocol; and, that parents must be able to exercise their right to question the board without the threat of being sued.

Dean says she is hoping the petition will be available to the public at the Centre Square Mall on Saturday.

"I think it is up to the person to pay for the lawsuit, not the school board," Dean said when asked why she launched the petition.

She also says the board refused her request to address them over the matter at a meeting last month. Dean says her written questions have not been answered.

Board chair Terry Brookes, who says he has held extensive meetings with Dean, says it is standard procedure not to discuss a legal matter in a public.

"(We can't discuss it) in a public forum because it's in a legal forum," he said.

He did say, however, he has encouraged Dean to exercise her democratic rights in keeping her views before the public. At the same time, Brookes cautioned, citizens cannot make statements that are not truthful without being responsible for their actions.

Of the lawsuit, he said he could not recall another time, during his service with the school board, when board funds have been used to help an employee launch a court case.

"Potentially, we could get the money back," he said.