Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 17, 2007

HAY RIVER - A Yellowknife consultant has been hired by the Department of Education Culture and Employment to develop an educational plan for Hay River's Ecole Boreale.

The plan may lead to an expansion of the French-language school.

"We know the building is getting crowded," said Don Kindt of DK Consulting.

The school currently has 90 students in kindergarten to Grade 10. When pre-kindergarten students are included, the number increases to 115.

"As they grow to Grade 11 and Grade 12, they're going to need more space," Kindt said, adding there will be some Grade 11 students added to the mix next year.

The school opened in the fall of 2005 with approximately 65 students in kindergarten to Grade 8.

Kindt said the school has already done some rearranging to accommodate Grade 9 and 10 classrooms. Some classes are also offered in the staff room and library area.

Consultations will begin in January.

Workshops will be held with the school's staff and administration to look at future programs and what they mean for an expanded school.

There will also be student and parent surveys and a meeting with parents.

Focus groups will also be held with students, Kindt said.

"They have a lot to say about how a building works or doesn't work," he said.

Once he has prepared the educational plan, Kindt said, "The department and the Commission scolaire will sit down and figure out how to get there."

Kindt hopes to have his report ready by the end of January.

A new educational plan for the school could lead to additions, such as a science lab

When the school opened, it was anticipated that phase two - a gym and a senior high wing - would be added in four or five years.