Yellowknife (July 21/03) - The GNWT is stepping into a dispute between the two largest school boards in the South Slave region.

The Ministry of Education has offered to appoint a mediator to help improve relations between the South Slave Divisional Educational Council (SSDEC) and the Hay River District Educational Authority (HRDEA)

"The Council representatives were pleased to accept the minister's offer," said SSDEC chairperson Ann Pischinger.

"The Council remains committed to work effectively with all South Slave DEAs as partners in educational decision making," she said.

The two councils have been at odds since the HRDEA announced publicly its desire to separate from the SSDEC and form a separate board.

The dispute came to a head in April when HRDEA representative Andrew Butler was booted off the SSDEC for allegedly violating the council's code of conduct.

The HRDEA responded by petitioning Education Minister Jake Ootes for a legal ruling on the decision to expel Butler.

Pischinger said her board was confident the decision would not be overturned.

"The Council stands united behind its decision to remove Andrew Butler. That being said, we remain committed and look forward to moving ahead and rebuilding a positive relationship with the Hay River DEA through a new representative."

The HRDEA has stated publicly that it will not move forward with negotiations until the Ministry responds.

"In order for relations to be strengthened it will require the sincere commitments and efforts by representatives of both organizations," said Pischinger.

"It is our hope that the Hay River DEA is prepared to consider mediation, and also

appoint a new representative to the Council in order to achieve this goal."

Butler, the HRDEA and the Ministry of Education were not available for comment.