Inuvik (Mar 04/05) - Don Kindt refers to it as the "education plan" and for the past two weeks this consultant for Education, Culture and Employment has been asking students, teachers and parents about the kinds of things they'd like to see in the new elementary school.

"This (process) is to find out what they are doing (in the school) right now and what they want to do in the future," he said at one of the focus groups, held Sunday evening at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school (SAMS).

To aid Kindt, a survey was published in last week's Drum. To date, 30 have been returned.

"Things will be moving really fast when the architect comes on board so you want to have all your ducks in a row," said Kindt, who played a key role in the design of St. Patrick's secondary school in Yellowknife after conducting a similar survey.

"When we get to that stage here we'll have a good sense of what we want to do."

After speaking with SAMS students, Kindt reported that gym, computer and woodworking classes were their favourites.

As well, students expressed their desire for a more colourful school that might include a lunchroom or gathering place. One child even requested "softer Kleenex."

"A lot of students were worried that Sammy (SAMS' furry mascot) would be left behind," added Kindt.

The consultant then met with representatives from early childhood education to "explore the idea of a partnership." While no decisions regarding SAMS' replacement have yet been made, Kindt says the input he has received will be incorporated into an upcoming "facility plan."

From concept to reality, the entire process is expected to take a little more than three years and the new elementary school could open in September 2008.

The conceptual design phase will continue through to the fall of 2006, when blueprints for the $20 million project should be ready to go out for tender. If things continue according to plan, the first shovel will hit the dirt in the summer of 2007.

However, where that shovel will break ground is still up in the air as a location for the new school has yet to be determined.