Yellowknife (Mar 14/03) - International travel is no longer taboo for Catholic School students.

The Yellowknife Catholic Schools lifted an international travel ban during last week's regular board meeting.

The ban began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S..

But it wasn't lifted without a lot of thought.

During the board meeting in February, trustee Raymond St. Arnaud expressed concern about lifting the ban.

He said the board must consider its liabilities.

He said insurance policies won't cover acts of war or terrorism should students be caught overseas.

"I certainly believe there is a great deal of educational value in having our students travel," said trustee Debbi Ross during the March meeting. Ross admitted she understood St. Arnaud's concerns about the current political situations, the talk of war in the Middle East and the terrorist threats but said each trip should be voted on individually, based on the current world status.

"Parents will have to be aware that in some situations we may have to cancel a trip with little or no notice," she said.

While the rest of the board voted in favour of the motion, St. Arnaud abstained.