Yellowknife (Oct 06/03) - The number of in-school days and instructional hours for students is being put to the microscope at the public school district.

So far this school year, two schools have faced operational changes that were not authorized by the school board.

William McDonald school dropped class duration from 45 minutes to 35 minutes. The start time was also pushed forward seven minutes.

At Range Lake North, the Yellowknife No. 1 calendar for 2003/2004 changed to add two extra professional development days. In exchange, students lost two in-school days for the year.

The changes are not the issue, says trustee Dan Schofield. The issue lies in who is making decisions for the district, he says.

"It's where the authority rests. There are too many things that are not operating well," Schofield says.

The changes were made by superintendent Judith Knapp, during the summer months when many trustees were on vacation.

At Range Lake North, in-school days for students fall two days short of the district's seven other schools. Some trustees worry this may cause problems when schools try to coordinate events outlined on the school calendar for 2003/04.

They were also concerned that the shortened school year violated a GNWT mandate, which sets the school year at 182 days.

The board set the calendar in March and submitted it to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for approval.

"The authority to set the calendar is with the board of trustees. The board approves it and submits it to the ministry," says Schofield.

Schofield says he knew nothing about the change.

"As long as the district is going to supersede governance of the board, you might as well not have a board of trustees," says Schofield.

Knapp doesn't think there is a problem. All schools meet the hours of instruction mandated by ECE, she said.

Knapp sat down with the board to approve the calendar at 191.5 in-school days for teachers, and 182 in-school days for students.

She thinks the calendar is flexible.

"They're adjustable. As long as you don't go below the minimum of instructional hours (as required by ECE)," she says.

"We were able to demonstrate that we had enough hours of instruction in the year" Knapp says.

Grades 1-6 must have 997 instructional hours in a year. Grades 7-12 must have 1075 hours. Unscheduled hours such as field trips, plays, and any out of school learning experience count towards the requirement.

Right now, Range Lake North has 990 hours, plus several unscheduled hours -- enough to put the school above the minimum requirement.

"They exceed the hours," says Sue Glowach, manager of public affairs for ECE.

Glowach points out that ECE guidelines are just that -- guidelines. If the department has an issue with the calendar, they will send it back to the district to change it.

According to Glowach, ECE doesn't have a problem with the school district.

Back on the board, trustee Maureen Miller concurs with Schofield.

"There was very little we could do once it had happened," says Miller, referring to the loss of days at Range Lake North.

"I think the board needs to look at its policies and establish clear guidelines for what the procedures are," Miller says.

"The superintendent of the district should remain working within the parameters of the calendar," she says.

Parents and teachers spilled into the halls of the board office for a special meeting, Sept. 25.

The issue facing Range Lake North wasn't clear to parents. As a result, they came to hear what the board had to say, says parent Sue Bennie.

"We attended looking for clarification. I think there was some uncertainty as to the agenda item," she says.

The board passed a motion to continue working within the parameters of the calendar at the meeting.

The days may be replaced within existing professional development days, according to board chair Roy Desjarlais. With so much confusion surrounding the district, Knapp has been fielding phone calls from concerned parents.

"It hurt the district in a big way," she says. "I've had to do damage control on a daily basis."

The board went into an in-camera session for the remainder of the special meeting, closing their doors to the public.

Meanwhile, William McDonald and Range Lake North schools continue to operate under their changed calendars.