Yellowknife (Apr 27/05) - Yellowknife Catholic schools need dedicated labs and a technician to maintain them in order to improve the district's science programs, according to the results of a recent science program review.

Dr. Alan Cook presented the findings from the review of district science programs to trustees at the April 20 meeting.

Among the six recommendations made to the board was the need for a dedicated science lab at capacity-stretched Ecole St. Joseph and Weledeh schools.

Cook and his internal and external review team also told YCS it needs a full-time employee to maintain the labs and current science kits teachers use.

The gap in courses available to the average high school student between the 15-level course and the 30-level also came up. The review team recommended the development of a 20-level science course.

Superintendent Kern Von Hagen said the district is putting together an action plan to implement some of the changes and work with Dr. Cook, though the additional job may not be in the budget.

Budget vote May 18

Trustees will vote on the budget for the 2005/2006 school year for YCS when they meet in May.

A public meeting to get input from the public to help review the draft budget before it goes before the board, attracted only two parents on April 19.

Mike Huvenaars, assistant superintendent of business, says he'll be ready with the final budget by the May meeting.

The district had an operating budget of just under $19 million for 2004/2005; with an expected surplus ending June 30, 2005, of $327,681.

That's well below the 5-10 per cent surplus recommended by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Rising fuel costs and implementation of a new collective agreement with the Union of Northern Workers took a small bite out of this year's budget.

$30,000 between them

St. Pat's principal John Bowden was beaming as he told trustees of scholarships worth $30,000 that were just won by two Grade 12 students.

Antonio Babic and Kirstin Mahler both received the Chancellor's Entrance Citation from the University of Alberta. The top scholarships are worth $15,000 each for the St. Pat's students.

The university received 350 applications for the award from across Canada and internationally. A 95 per cent average throughout high school is one of the requirements for the scholarship.

Bowden and his staff are planning a celebration for the gifted two.