Inuvik (Feb 18/05) - Early childhood educators in Inuvik have agreed to team up to try and get some space in a proposed new elementary school, which would replace the aging Sir Alexander Mackenzie school (SAMS).

The group includes the Inuvik Daycare, Inuvik Preschool and Aboriginal Headstart Program.

While the daycare, which is already housed in SAMS, and the preschool, which is located in a green portable behind SAMS, are guaranteed a home as long as the current elementary school stands, the headstart program is going to need a new home in June.

At the moment, it enjoys temporary digs at a Beaufort Delta Education Council property on Tuma Road.

According to the territorial government's capital plan for the region, $20 million has been earmarked for a new elementary school, to be completed in 2007/2008.

However, there are no plans to include space for early childhood programs in the proposed new facility.

"I've been working here 12 years and there's always going to be a need for a preschool," said preschool instructor Patti Male.

"Ideally, we'd like to be in the new facility but the three organizations have explored the option of building our own facility, with each group retaining their own identity."

However, after some preliminary investigation, the early childhood education alliance has learned that a standalone building could cost upwards of $2.5 million.

The more cost effective and logical choice would be to buy into an addition to the proposed replacement school at an estimated cost of $1 million.

"Having daycare in the new school is a possibility," said Boot Lake MLA and Finance Minister Floyd Roland.

"This project is going to be driven at a community level."

When asked about the option of retro-fitting the existing elementary school - and making it large enough to accommodate all three early childhood operations - Roland compared it to deliberations regarding construction of the new college.

These included a plan to renovate the old Grollier Hall building.

"We would have gotten 20 years out of fixing Grollier Hall for $9.9 million, whereas the new college is good for 40 years at a cost of $12 million."

Though a study found that retrofitting the elementary school would cost less than building a new one, it would appear the increased lifespan of a new facility trumped the benefits of fixing SAMS.

Inuvik early education by the numbers

The $20 million in capital plan funding for a new elementary school will be spent as follows:

• 2005/06 - $2.5 million for planning, with construction to begin late in the fiscal year.
• 2006/07 - $14 million for construction.
• 2007/08 - $3.5 million to finish project.

Inuvik Daycare

• Housed at SAMS the last three years.
• Rent and utilities covered by District Education Authority. Other funding from Education Culture and Employment, Gwich'in Tribal Council and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
• Licensed to care for 46 children: 26 users under the age of five; 20 over the age of five; 30+ children on waiting list.
• Instructors: eight full-time, including two cultural teachers: one Gwich'in and one Inuvialuit.
• Open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Cost per child: $625/month, full day; $250/month, after school.

Aboriginal Headstart Program

• Located at 30 Tuma Road in BDEC building until June 2005.
• For three-and four-year-olds.
• One Inuvialuit instructor with director Annie Smith handling Gwich'in instruction. Two additional instructors.
• Licensed for 32 students; 17 enroled.
• Expenses: No cost to enrol. Core funding from Health Canada, with additional funding provided by Gwich'in Tribal Council and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
• Parents are required to volunteer two hours each month for headstart related activities.
• Open to all children with a priority for children of aboriginal descent.
• Open 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

Inuvik Preschool

• Housed in green portable behind SAMS.
• Instructors: two.
• Rent and utilities covered by District Education Authority. Some funding from Education, Culture and Employment but the bulk of its operating budget comes from community fundraising and an annual donation from the Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
• Enrolment: 30 three-and-four year-olds.
• Operating hours: 8:30 -11:45 a.m. and 12:45 - 3:30 p.m.
• Three-year-olds on Tuesdays and Thursdays; four-year-olds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Cost per child: $125/month for three-year-olds; $165/month for four-year-olds.