Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Mar 29/02) - The Fort Providence District Education Authority renewed the principal's contract for five years last week, but Chief Sam Gargan alleges it was done in secrecy and under the pressure of threats.

Albertine Nadli, chair of the Fort Providence DEA, refutes the allegations and questions why Gargan wants to have a say in the matter.

Gargan contends that "bullying tactics" may have influenced the DEA's decision, as he said seven teachers warned that they would leave if principal Jane Arychuk was not retained.

"Our position on that is it's a hollow threat," Gargan said. "If the teacher's don't recognize the community as a priority then they shouldn't be here."

Nadli said the principal's contract was just one part of an overall school review, an open process conducted every five years.

Gargan, who described the principalship as a high-profile position and therefore of interest to the band council, noted that the Deh Gah Got'ie council had sent a letter to the DEA requesting involvement in the decision to renew the principal's contract. Nadli replied that a band councillor who normally attends DEA meetings never showed up, which may have led to the communication breakdown.

"If they (the council) were so concerned about the principal's position, they should have came themselves," Nadli said.

"I don't know why he (Gargan) is so concerned when he's never been to the school once. He doesn't know what's going on at the school."

Nadli, who is in her second year as DEA chair, added that only one teacher alluded to leaving if principal Jane Arychuk wasn't retained. The others had signed a letter of support for Arychuk, she said.

"We weren't pressured ... Jane's being doing a good job. She's been committed and dedicated," said Nadli. "We've always been complimented about our school ... I made my decision with my heart. I went through the school goals and by facts."

Three of the five DEA members voted on the issue while two others abstained, according to Nadli.

Gargan, who has contacted the director of the Dehcho Divisional Board of Education, the minister of education and even the premier, said Nadli has been asked to put the matter on hold for the time being.

He also raised the spectre of conflict of interest as the band's policy manual stipulates that band council employees must resign from council.

"We have our own employees serving on certain boards, supposedly to serve the community but (they) are serving other interest groups instead of ours. That is not right," he said. "The position the band is taking is that they are either with us or they're not with us. If they are not, they shouldn't be working for us. But we're not going to force them to resign."

Nadli, who is employed by the band as a home-support worker, said she would resign from her job before giving up her seat as DEA chair.

"I believe the kids should get a good principal and a good person who will work with them and work for them," she said.