by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 17/97) - Two parents have challenged the strength of Yellowknife Education District No.1's protocol on reporting alleged child abuse.

Laurie Sarkadi and Gabriella Sparling brought their concern to trustees at a recent regular board meeting.

They wanted assurance that "abuses within the schools are being dealt with responsibly."

Under the Child Welfare Act, anyone aware of an alleged sexual abuse must report it to the office of the superintendent of child welfare, part of the Department of Health and Social Services. And under board protocol, a report of alleged sexual abuse goes to the board's special services department.

Sarkadi and Sparling also wanted assurances that none of the board's staff could alter the reporting procedure.

"What would the board think if senior administration had instructed a staff person not to report (an alleged abuse) to Social Services?" asked Sparling.

"Regardless of what you've been told, that was never done. Those were not the instructions given," said board chairman Gary Black at the meeting.

Sarkadi said she was not speaking of a specific incident.

"I know you are because there is only one circumstance," said Black.

He added that he was not prepared to discuss the matter further publicly.

Board vice-chair Terry Brookes said Monday a staff member reported an alleged abuse during the prior school year and the matter was found to be groundless.

Black said the RCMP investigated and no charges resulted.

We are "trying to ensure that the protocol is followed" and that the "problem is not exported to another jurisdiction," Sparling said.

"What's important is that we err on the side of the child and not cover the butts of the staff who may be involved in alleged (abuse)," Sparling said.

Sarkadi said they will meet privately with the board Oct. 10 to further discuss the issue at hand.