Yellowknife (Sep 22/04) - It is costing more than $35,000 to replace the computers that were stolen from Mildred Hall in early July.

Since the robbery, six computers have been accounted for, but according to the education district, nine are still missing from the school.

Judith Knapp, superintendent for Yellowknife Education District No. 1, said at the time of the robbery they didn't know exactly how many computers were stolen.

She said everything was packed away to be moved during renovations when the computers went missing.

"We didn't know how many computers were missing until the teachers started unpacking everything," she said.

The school board and construction company working on Mildred Hall school are still working out whose insurance will cover the cost of replacing the computers.

Although six were returned to Mildred Hall, Knapp said the school board had to replace all 15 computers.

"When we got the six back, they were beyond repair," she said.

"$35,000 doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot for this school board," she added.

On Sept. 7 Steve Sharman, 20, was handed a one-year conditional sentence for stealing six of the computers.

Knapp said the school board would liked to have seen a harsher punishment.

"It took a lot of energy to steal those computers. Obviously it was planned," she said. "We're trying to teach our students that there are consequences for their actions."

Under a conditional sentence, if Sharman can stay out of trouble for one year, he won't have a criminal record.

With nine computers still missing, Knapp said parents shouldn't worry about private information leaking into the community. She said nothing vital was kept on any of the computers.

"The school district keeps all private information stored in a central location," she said. "Parents' and student information have been kept safe."