Empty seats in Chesterfield
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Chesterfield Inlet (Nov 29/00) - There are seven seats available but it seems no one wants them.
With the Dec. 11 election a couple of weeks away, no one in Chesterfield Inlet has announced to run for the District Education Authority.
The lack of candidates has left Kivalliq School Services (KSS) scrambling for alternatives.
KSS executive director Chris Purse says the department still hasn't been given a definitive direction by the Department of Education.
"There is no provision in the Education Act for a situation where there are no candidates nominated," says Purse. "The Department of Education is seeking assistance from the Department of Justice on an interpretation of what happens in this case and that's where we're at now."
Victor Sammurtok school principal Walter Raniowski is an automatic member of the local DEA.
He says he can't see many options other than appointments.
"Basically, this is part of the responsibility of the Nunavut Government to arrange for some type of action to be taken," says Raniowski. "I'm not particularly worried because we've had good members here in the past and I'm sure we will again."
Raniowski says he has no idea why no candidates have come forward this year, adding that communication among students, parents and teachers has been excellent.
"I can't see any reason why this would happen other than just a bad year for people willing to seek office," he says.
"Everything is in good shape at the school and, as far as I know, there are very few concerns of any sort.
"One thing I do know is that, just like the American election, there will, eventually, be an education council in Chesterfield Inlet."
