Yellowknife (Dec 24/03) - After a successful year of construction and policy making, the Yellowknife Catholic school board is looking towards the possibility of expansion in the new year.

With a new trades building, a new policy manual and board that is just two months old, the district was busy this year.

"We've had a really good year. It was pretty productive," says longtime trustee Larry Purcka. He highlights the construction of the Career and Technical Centre at the top of his list.

YCS started the process for the building in February and Clarke Builders are just putting the finishing touches on it now.

"Trying to put together something for trades has been a long outstanding issue," says Purcka.

Shannon Gullberg, the new board chair, agreed.

"It really supports yet another stream of programming," she says.

The board of trustees totally revamped their 10-year-old policy manual this year as well. The process started in Nov. 2002 and the new manual is already in operation.

"Working on our policy manual was one of the greatest things we did," says Purcka.

Gullberg says the new policies help make structures within the board and the district clear for everyone: trustees, administration and parents.

For 2004, the trustees say the board will continue its focus on numeracy and literacy, as outlined in its three-year rolling plan.

As well, Purcka is pushing for a new school for the district, now that Ecole St. Joseph, Weledeh Catholic school and St. Patrick high school are full to capacity.

"We need to look at our growth potential," he says.

YCS is currently in talks with Education, Culture and Employment and has alerted them that they are strapped for space and materials.

In 2004, Purcka wants an answer to the question, "Is there a possibility for another school for Yellowknife and will it be a Catholic school?"