Baker Lake (May 17/06) - The principal of Jonah Amitnaaq school in Baker Lake wants a clear understanding of why his contract was not renewed.

Bill Olson was signed to a one-year contract as principal of Jonah Amitnaaq secondary school (JASS) for the 2005-06 school semester.

Education Minister Ed Picco does not want the controversy surrounding Baker Lake school principal Bill Olson to become a political issue. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

In a closed door meeting earlier this week, the local District Education Authority (DEA) voted unanimously not to renew Olson's contract, nor that of Rachel Arngnammaktiq elementary school principal Patrick Garrah.

DEA chairperson Simeon Mikkungwak said the board went in-camera to discuss the contracts of both principals.

He said he cannot discuss the specifics of the session, other than to say there were no objections to either contract not being renewed.

"The DEA would have no problem with Mr. Olson staying on as a teacher at the school, but we have no interest in maintaining him as head administrator," Mikkungwak said.

"Mr. Olson was given a one-year contract and it was stated that if the board decided not to renew his term, he could return to the teaching position he held at the school prior to becoming principal."

The DEA received a petition signed by 45 of Baker's more than 1,500 residents supporting Olson as principal.

Mikkungwak said the DEA also received a copy of the letter of complaint Olson sent to Education Minister Ed Picco regarding its decision.

"The letter was in English, so, in fairness to our unilingual members, we will have it translated before commenting," Mikkungwak said.

"If we meet to discuss this matter further, it won't be until we're able to have a full DEA board present.

"Our decision was based solely on Mr. Olson's performance at the school.

"We understand the Department of Education would like to discuss the matter, but the board made its decision and that's where we're at now as far as we're concerned."

In his letter to Picco - a copy of which was obtained by Kivalliq News - Olson claims Mikkungwak did not present an accurate, detailed reason as to why his contract was not renewed when he appeared at a JASS staff meeting.

Olson said the reasons given by Mikkungwak at the meeting were academics, professionalism and Inuit Qaujiniajatuqangit.

The principal points out that JASS expects to graduate 15 students this year, the most ever by the school.

"When asked what the DEA means by professionalism, Simeon responded by saying communication," Olson wrote to the minister.

"I am still not sure what the DEA means by professionalism... I feel I am meeting, or sometimes exceeding, my expectations when it comes to communication.

"The feedback I have received from parents, students and staff leads me to believe JASS is a model school when it comes to using Inuit Qaujiniajatuqangit principles as a foundation for what we do a daily basis."

Picco said the DEA's power is not absolute.

He said this isn't the first time this has happened in Nunavut, and every case has to be judged on its own merit.

"I want our senior personnel to review the aspects of this decision and not make it a political issue," Picco said.

"Hopefully, we can come to some form of agreement acceptable to all parties involved."

Assistant deputy minister Peter Geikie will be speaking to Mikkungwak this week, as well as Kivalliq School Operations executive director Bonnie Spence-Vinge.

Geikie said the ultimate authority with any staffing issue rests with the department, but it's his intent to work with the Baker DEA to resolve the situation.

"He said reinstating someone who the DEA clearly states it doesn't want in that position would put everyone in a tough situation, including school staff members.

"That's something we want to avoid in the interests of moving forward with the kids at the school," Geikie said.

"Hopefully, we can resolve this in a positive way, whether that's going out to competition for another principal or finding a way for the current principal to stay on.

"Whatever all parties agree to is the direction we'll take."

"Either way, the time line will be quick so the planning process can begin for next year."