Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 23/02) - The Catholic school board says it put extra money into special needs programs last year.

They were responding to concerns raised by a parent whose special needs son attends Weledeh Catholic school.

Donna Huffam told the board last week that she was concerned after reviewing Yellowknife Catholic Schools audited financial statements that showed $100,000 remained in the special needs budget.

She said she was told in June there was no money left in the budget to provide additional support for her son.

"Why was there nothing done for special needs funding for our child when funding was clearly available," Huffam asked the board.

Chief financial officer Mike Huvenaars said some of the special needs spending was accounted in other budgets.

"We spent the money we intended to, in fact we over spent," said Huvenaars.

Last year the YCS put an additional $500,000 into the special needs budget.

That included funding one new teacher, four new classroom assistants and the purchasing of 24 systems that are used to assist hearing impaired children.

In total the new initiatives cost in excess of $360,000.

YCS plans to hire a fifth classroom assistant.

Supt. Kern Von Hagen said the board has worked hard trying to ensure their schools are inclusive to all children.

"We have been investing the money and this year has been a prime example when we have been stretched and we still met the need," said Von Hagen.

Huffam, who was not completely satisfied with the board response, requested that an additional $100,000 be put into the special needs fund.

She suggested that money should come out of the $350,000 the board plans to put toward a new vocational training centre.

After discussion, Huffam's request was denied. Board members said the training centre was another way to ensure relevant schooling was being provided to all its students.