Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 23/98) - The South Slave Divisional Education Council is taking a close look at the administration of Deninoo school in Fort Resolution after the students walked out recently to protest the school's leadership.

"We're requesting an evaluation of the administration by the South Slave board," said Merrina Hunter, chair of the divisional education council in Fort Resolution.

School officials and students met with the board last Tuesday night at the school to discuss the students' concerns.

"We know what their concerns are, but I can't go into any detail," added Hunter.

Annie Boucher, whose daughter Kirstin is in Grade 10 at the school, said that parents were shut out of the meeting.

"It was a closed meeting," she said. "I went there -- a lot of parents did -- and it was closed," she said. "So I don't know what is happening."

Principal Denrick Richardson said he had understood the review was a regular school assessment done by the school every three years.

"...the strike, may, however, have changed the time frame of the review," he said.

The last such review was done in 1995-96.

Richardson said he is aware of the students' concerns, but wouldn't comment on the specifics.

But, students say they are clear on the problems and decided Nov. 13 to go on strike to protest the school's administration.

"We need a change," said Boucher's daughter Kirstin.

Hunter said the board will be getting back to the community with the results of the study in four or five weeks.

"Just before Christmas or in the new year," she said. "Everything in the school, from the administration to just about anything, will be looked at. Someone from the board office will go there once a week for five weeks."

Everyone is just waiting to see the results of the evaluation before any changes will be made, Hunter added.