Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 30/02) - The start of school for students and parents is usually a hectic time, but getting ready for back to school for educators and support staff is never easy -- especially in the North.

Beaufort-Delta education council director James Anderson said there were some complications getting the orientation staff across the Mackenzie on Monday.

The Arctic Red River Ferry was out due to some mechanical problems on Monday and the BDEC support staff had to be flown in to do the in-service orientation.

"We have a helicopter shuttling our board office staff to Fort McPherson, orienting our staff at Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic," Anderson said. "Nothing's as simple as it seems."

To add further complication and expense, the helicopter only had room for the passengers and had to make a second trip to fly their luggage across.

"Everything has been complicated," he said.

"We were weathered-out in other communities as well for our orientation."

Holman, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk began their school year on the first week of August, but Inuvik schools won't start until next week.

Anderson says there are two teaching vacancies in Inuvik -- one at each school plus a vacancy at the board office.

Samuel Hearne senior secondary students return to school Sept. 4, with seniors registration beginning at 9 a.m. and juniors registration beginning at 1 p.m.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie elementary students also start on Sept. 4.