Portable classrooms funded
$1.5 million included in five-year major capital plan
Kirsten Fenn
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife Catholic Schools believes it might need to spend $1.5 million on portables at St. Joseph School in 2018-19 if the school's capacity becomes too tight.
The portables were included in the school district's five-year major capital plan, which board members approved at their March 15 meeting.
Superintendent Claudia Parker said the decision on whether to spend the money will depend on enrolment numbers next year.
"These things are always flexible in regards to when they actually happen," she said.
Janet Toner, assistant superintendent of business for the Catholic board, said St. Joseph School will be at 94 per cent capacity this fall with the addition of junior kindergarten. The school board was worried last October that the additional grade was going to leave St. Joe's without enough space for students this fall. The school is currently at about 90 per cent capacity for the 2016-17 academic year, with 522 students enrolled out of a maximum of 583.
At the time, the board suggested taking three portables from N.J. Macpherson School to solve its woes.
But the public district's superintendent nixed the idea, saying the space is being used by students at Yellowknife Education District No. 1.
The Catholic board later wrote to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, requesting help finding a solution to space issues that works for everyone.
Parker told Yellowknifer last week that the board is still trying to come to a solution with the department, which has formed a committee to look at capacity issues in Yellowknife schools.
If a solution isn't found, the Catholic district could have to dig into its own pockets to purchase the portables.
Parker reassured board members that St. Joe's has enough space for this fall and is "welcoming families."
But members will have to reassess the situation again next year.
"There is lots of discussion that has to happen," Parker said. "If we have a space issue (in 2018-19), and the government does not come forward to solve the space issue ... then the board might have to make a decision."
Before the five-year major capital plan was approved, trustee Amy Kennedy said she had concerns about including $1.5 million for portables that board members haven't had much opportunity to discuss.
"I understand that next year we will look at this again and, I imagine, vote on major capital projects for 2018," Kennedy said. "But it just makes me a little uncomfortable."
Parker explained the capital plan does not set the portables in stone, but creates options in case a choice needs to be made in the future.
Toner, who presented the capital plan, said the plans are assessed and can be adjusted each year. The district is simply trying to be proactive in determining what it needs in the future.
Coming years also include plans for a new $75,000 pellet boiler system at St. Patrick High School next year, $150,000 for library renovations at all three Catholic schools in 2018-19 and $15 million for a building retrofit at St. Pat's in 2025-26.
Toner said the pellet boiler system would only go forward if the GNWT fronts the cost.
