Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 13/02) - Public school board member Maureen Miller was upset at last Tuesday's meeting because a byelection was not held Sept. 10 to elect a new trustee.

The position was left vacant June 26 when trustee Marlo Bullock resigned.

The board had passed a motion July 16 to allow the public to elect the new board member Sept. 10 -- the same time Yellowknife ratepayers voted on the city's request to borrow $1.6 million to pay for cost over-runs on new twin-pad arena.

The board was to meet Aug. 10 to finalize the details. But when that date arrived, more than half the trustees were not at the meeting.

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 Superintendent Dr. Judith Knapp said the fact that the board didn't hold a meeting in August meant there was not sufficient communication with board members to follow through with that motion.

She also said it would not have given candidates sufficient time to campaign.

Miller was not swayed by the superintendent's comments.

"When the board passes a motion we should follow that motion," said Miller. "We wanted to be swearing someone in tonight (Sept. 10) not later."

Yellowknife No. 1 will hold a special meeting Sept. 27 to appoint a new trustee. The board will also discuss plans for proposed renovations at Mildred Hall school.