Yellowknife (Apr 19/06) - Parents on Yk Education District No. 1 school committees met last Wednesday to discuss how to communicate better with other parents and school trustees.

Six people attended the meeting - five chairs and one co-chair of various parent advisory committees (PAC) or groups (PAG).

Every school save N.J. Macpherson was represented.

"We're talking about more formal, regular meetings (with other committees and groups)," said Louise Elder-Riordan, PAG chair for Range Lake North school.

The meeting was arranged after PAC and PAG chairs from Yk 1 and Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) met at a workshop organized in part by Yk 1 superintendent Metro Huculak.

The parent committees are also looking to share fundraising ideas and events.

Rob Meckling, PAC chair for Sir John Franklin high school, said the group would not comment about talks surrounding the facilities situation between Yk 1 and YCS and what input, if any, the PACs and PAG will have on those discussions.

"We're looking at ways to improve the situation for ourselves... and work towards positive change," he said.

The chairs are hoping to meet in September and every two months after that, said Elder-Riordan.