Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 21/00) - Linda Palasz's complaint before the territorial Fair Practices Office has been dismissed.

A former Samuel Hearne high school teacher, Palasz left Inuvik last May following what she described as threats to her life and acts of intimidation by students. A police investigation into the matter was closed for lack of evidence.

But Palasz decided to file the complaint with the office in August, seeking redress for what she described as lack of support and response from the Beaufort Delta Education Council.

"We're pleased with the ruling of fair practices officer Elaine Keenan-Bengts in dismissing the complaint," said education council director James Anderson on Monday.

Contacted in Ottawa, Ont., where she is now living, Palasz said she had no specific reaction to Keenan-Bengts' decision not to proceed with the complaint and hold a full hearing.

"It just didn't fall within her mandate," she said. "I didn't know that when I filed the complaint."

Anderson said one surprising development in the case is that Palasz recently answered an education council job posting.

"Ironically, despite the fact that Mrs. Palasz feared for her life and wanted out of the community and felt the council was prejudiced against her, she reapplied for a job here again," he said.

Palasz confirmed this but said she won't be returning to the Delta.

"I have other options, which I'll be following up," she said. "It's done, and I have no desire to be in Inuvik."