Yellowknife (Oct 17/03) - Public school district superintendent Judith Knapp is fearing for her job after three controversial motions were passed at the public school board's last regular meeting before Monday's election.

Knapp said a knife went through her heart when she heard trustee Terry Brookes' angry reaction to personnel motions brought before the board on Tuesday.

"You can only imagine termination," said Knapp.

Contacted Thursday, she said she didn't know the content of the motions, only guessing they refer to her employment and other Yellowknife Education District No.1 employees she said may be targeted as well.

"Everybody's distraught here," she said

Following the Tuesday night board meeting, Knapp approached chair Roy Desjarlais. He refused to reveal the motions until a properly scheduled meeting between himself and Knapp was arranged.

Until that time, Desjarlais said the information will remain sealed in an envelope.

"I'm trying to set up a meeting with him," said Knapp.

Knapp has never seen motions withheld from the superintendent before, calling it "very unusual."

Desjarlais requested a copy of Knapp's contract on Wednesday.

Terry Brookes, who was visibly angry with fellow board members following the motion vote Tuesday night, refused to say whether they paved the way for her suspension or dismissal but did say the motions negatively affect her employment with Yellowknife Education District No.1.

"I'd say so," said Brookes yesterday, when asked whether her job was in jeopardy. "It affects her employment."

The motions arose from an in-camera session of the personnel committee, held at noon Oct. 14.

Trustees Maureen Miller, Rob Meckling, and Dan Schofield sit on the committee. Knapp was also in attendance but was asked to leave.

At the board meeting, Miller brought forward motions 10-5062-03, 10-5063-03, and 10-5064-03 at the public meeting, stating only that they dealt with personnel matters.

Miller, Schofield, Rob Meckling, and Roy Desjarlais voted for the motions. Brookes and Mildred Wilke voted against.

Brookes spoke out against the motions at the meeting and asked for a recorded vote.

"I think it's disgusting. It's outrageous," he said.

Trustee candidate Dave Lovell, sitting in the public gallery, also raised his voice, questioning the legality of the board's actions.

Afterwards, Brookes said he was bothered by the content of the motions and the secrecy they were shrouded in.

Neither Brookes nor trustee Wilke were alerted about the personnel meeting, something they say is irregular.

"When you are excluded by this, it's very hard to understand," said Brookes.

"I have to question the intent of that kind of motion. It sure doesn't add up to a nice picture."

All trustees are welcome at committee meetings and are usually alerted by e-mail, said Wilke.

Miller said it is not her duty to inform trustees of meetings.

Other trustees are also remaining tight-lipped about the motions, including chair Roy Desjarlais.

He added that all committee chairs have different procedures when it comes to alerting trustees. "It's a nicety but it's not a must," Desjarlais said.