Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 09/05) - Rotting pilings underneath Samuel Hearne secondary school have students at home, educators scrambling for alternate classrooms and government officials looking for ways to fix the problem.

Tuesday night, there were many questions but few answers as parents met with government and education district officials at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school.

Classes were supposed to resume at Samuel Hearne (SHSS) Tuesday morning, but the school was closed after the Department of Public Works decided not to pass an engineering report to the territorial Fire Marshal for approval of occupancy after an inspection determined rotting pilings threatened the structural integrity of the school.

"All I can do is apologize for this situation," said Public Works Minister Floyd Roland, also Inuvik Boot Lake MLA.

In July, a contractor was hired to examine the more than 400 pilings that provide the foundation for SHSS. On Aug. 22, public works received a report from the contractor, which stated that 88 per cent of the pilings were in a state of deterioration. Forty three per cent of the pilings had rotted 50 per cent or more and 45 per cent were between 26 and 50 per cent rotted.

Public works replaced 82 pads on compromised pilings last year, but with the extent of rot found this summer, the inspection team refused to guarantee the structural integrity of the building.

Winter's high winds and the fact Inuvik is located on an earthquake fault factored largely on the decision to close the school, officials said.

"We could not safely put staff and students back in the school," said Roland.

Alternatives?

Instead of being held in the school, registration was carried out at the Midnight Sun Recreation Hall; in the morning for grades 10 to 12 and in the afternoon for grades seven through nine.

It will take at least three months to make the necessary repairs before classes can resume at SHSS. Officials should know by Friday how the repairs will be carried out.

In the meantime, the Beaufort Delta Education Council, District Education Authority and SHSS staff will be in meetings this week to brainstorm alternative schooling locations.

"Relocating some 400 students and staff is no easy task," said council Superintendent Dennis Parsons. "It's going to try all our patience and we need everyone to work together."

Among the possibilities are: the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, including office space and both hockey and curling pads; the old Aurora College building on Distributor Street; Ingamo Hall; and, hold classes for elementary and high school students in two shifts at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school.

Ingamo Hall piling issues

While Roland called the use of the old college "remote," primarily due to the fact its water and sewage was cut off, it wasn't ruled out. Ingamo Hall seems to be a long-shot as well, because it is currently having piling issues of its own.

A parent at the meeting suggested the territorial government get permission from the federal government to use the military's Forward Operations Location at Mike Zubko Airport and bus students there from town.

Completed in 1967, SHSS has had a rough ride in the past 18 months. The foyer roof collapsed in April 2004 and just before classes were due to resume, an arsonist set fire to the gymnasium. This latest setback only heightened frustration of parents.

"Why weren't we getting these experts in four months ago?" asked one. "What's going to happen to prevent this from happening again and what's going to change to make sure we've got a safe and functioning school?"

After applause died down, Roland explained that ice from last winter had to be completely melted in order to do a thorough inspection, which couldn't get underway until July.

"We will address everything that needs to be done," he said. "Unfortunately that's where we find ourselves."

Parsons said there would be no classes for the rest of the week, but that students should know by Monday where they should show up for school. Students and parents were asked to watch for updates on the community's rolling channel and similar information regarding the status of the 2005/2006 classes would be posted throughout town.