Yellowknife (Mar 14/03) - Thanks to months of slicing, the Yellowknife Catholic Schools will have a thinner, lighter version of its former two-inch thick policy manual.

"It's not so much about changes but a creation of a whole new policy and direction," policy committee chair Debbi Ross told fellow trustees.

The board hired a consultant last year to help it wade through half a century of redundant policies.

In the end 100 policies were boiled down to 16. The board will vote to accept the new manual at its May meeting.

The 16 policies include the role of the trustee and executive members, role of the superintendent, a trustee code of conduct, student discipline and board mandate.

Ross said the policy manual was created 50 years ago and "it kept getting bigger over the years" with policies for every situation.

Now the policies have been reduced and broaden.

They are less about the day-to-day operations and more about the board's role, said Ross.

Not everyone was happy with the report.

Trustee Raymond St. Arnaud felt there hadn't been enough public input.

"I think we are taking this step too quickly," said Arnaud, who later voted against first reading of the motion to accept the new manual.

"These policies are for future trustees and I think we're just running ahead with them ... I think there are significant changes in policy going from a two-inch binder to a half-inch binder."

"I believe we've had a significant debate and now it's time to get broader input," said Ross.

The new policy manual is available at the district office. Comments and questions can be made via e-mail, in writing or by calling the district office.