Fort Simpson (Apr 29/05) - Some Fort Simpson parents are determined to stop Bompas elementary school from bidding au revoir to its French program.

The Dehcho Education Council has decided that Bompas is overstaffed by one position. Cutting anything other than the French position would result in class sizes growing beyond the 20:1 student/teacher ratio that the school has been striving to maintain, principal Terry Jaffray noted. In addition, if the French program continues, a special needs class will be "put on hold," she said.

At the Fort Simpson District Education Authority meeting on April 19, four parents voiced their objections to the loss of French class.

Jeff Cressman reminded education authority members that French is one of Canada's two official languages so it should be afforded some extra consideration.

Robin Trevors pointed out that 40 children - approximately one-third of the student body - are enroled in French, so it represents a "significant number," he said.

Helena Lirette asked whether there's another way to find more money and still keep class sizes manageable.

Education authority chair Martina Norwegian, who is also Fort Simpson's representative on the Dehcho Education Council, replied that the budget is still in draft form so it can be re-examined before it's finalized in June.

However, she noted that education funds are dwindling and Bompas is overstaffed.

"Not everybody's going to be satisfied with the outcome," Norwegian predicted.

Because elementary students are required to take a second language, those learning French would be transferred into the Slavey class if French is eliminated. That could pose a problem for parents like Harold Gambler. At the education authority meeting, Gambler, a Pentecostal pastor, explained that he had taken his son out of Slavey years ago because the teachings were crossing over into spirituality and religion, he noted.

"Not everyone has those kinds of beliefs," he said.