by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 08/97) - If the number of students attending the Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah drops any lower, the school may have to close.

However, education officials say the problem doesn't stem from a lack of students in the community.

Currently, 25 students attend Dettah school, compared to 33 last year and 36 two years ago.

But 18 students who live in the Dogrib region and could be attending the Dettah school attend Yellowknife schools.

And while these students attend Yellowknife schools, Yellowknife taxpayers are covering part of the cost.

If the students were to attend the Kaw Tay Whee School, the territorial government would pay full funding. While they attend Yellowknife schools, government funding is only 75 percent.

Because these students may determine if the Dettah school opens next year, a funding agreement with Yellowknife Education District #1 and Yellowknife Catholic Schools is not an option, Dogrib Divisional Educational Council superintendent Geriann Donahue said.

"There are 18 students attending Yellowknife schools who belong to the Dogrib board," she said.

Last month, YK1 identified three Dogrib students attending its schools.

Many of the remainder are attending Weledeh Catholic School, Donahue said.

Meetings between Donahue and Yellowknife school board superintendents are continuing this week.

So far, "nothing has been decided," YK1 superintendent Ken Woodley said Monday.

With 25 students, the Dettah school gets two full-time teachers. Less than 25 students means just 1.5 teachers.

At 26 students, the school would also get one full-time teacher assistant. At 25 students it's a half-time teacher assistant.

If the 18 Yellowknife students were to attend Dettah school, it would be just three students short of qualifying for 2.5 teachers.