Yellowknife (Sep 26/03) - Yellowknife residents have the chance to grill the 17 public school trustee candidates in an open forum next Tuesday.

The Yellowknife 1 district has hired an independent organizer to host the Forum in the run-up to the Oct. 20 election.

The last two school board elections brought seven trustees in through acclamation, with just enough candidates to make up the board.

Judith Knapp, superintendent of education for the public school district, isn't sure why so many candidates have announced nominations this year. She credits it to an increase in political interest across the territory. The forum will be held at Sir John Franklin high school Sept. 30, with candidates facing questions from parents and the public concerning education in the public system.

"Anytime there's an election...we host a forum," says Knapp, adding that the Parents Advisory Committees at each school pushed for a forum this year. "I think it's important...in a democracy you need to know what the candidates stand for," she says. The Yellowknife Catholic school board won't be holding a forum before the election.

With eight candidates to fill seven positions, Mike Huvenaars, assistant superintendent of business, doesn't think there is any need for one.

"There have been no trustees who have asked for one (a forum)," says Huvenaars. The Catholic school board has no history of question periods for trustee candidates, with their past of acclamation for board positions. "I think that people are pretty satisfied with our district," he says. Huvenaars notes that board meetings are open to the public, and parents can raise questions or concerns at those venues. The next meeting is Oct. 15, just before the election.