Knapp holding the reins
Woodley case won't hold back school board

Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 12/99) - After dismissing Ken Woodley from his position as superintendent of Yellowknife Education District No. 1, the public school board is moving ahead with the business of running a school system.

A special meeting was held Oct. 19, and at the end of it Woodley was officially dismissed. Board chair Dan Schofield said they have appointed Dr. Judith Knapp interim superintendent.

"What that means is Dr. Knapp is the superintendent until the board decides what will happen," said Schofield.

Schofield said there could be a competition called for the position, but the board may also decide to continue with Knapp.

"That is a decision that hasn't played out yet but I can say the board is extremely satisfied with Dr. Knapp's performance, and all feedback we've received on her performance has been exceptional."

The superintendent is responsible to manage the district, which includes everything from staffing to dealing with parent, student and teacher concerns.

"The superintendent is the CEO of the district, responsible for conducting the day-to-day operations of the school system," said Schofield.

"It is the key position in the public education system in Yellowknife and we're confident that Dr. Knapp has brought stability, and that she's advancing education district 1 goals."

Knapp has accepted the post and is trying to focus on keeping everything on track in what is, by all accounts, a busy education district.

She added that it was well within the mandate of the school board to dismiss Woodley and that from the school board's position, the decision is binding.

"The board decision to dismiss Dr. Woodley wasn't done lightly. It was a very difficult decision," said Knapp.

"I think the board took their time and they made what they collectively felt was the best decision for the district."

She said Woodley is seeking a court decision today (Friday) to get more documents from the education district pertaining to his case. What occurs now, she said, is between the lawyers.

"We want to put (the Woodley incident) behind us so we can all move forward. We really want to direct our attention towards educating our students and overseeing the business of running this district," said Knapp.

"I've worked very hard to advance the idea that the education district's employees, teachers, students and parents are what make an education system. The attention has to be where it belongs, which is focused on the people who are working with our students."