Yellowknife (Sep 27/06) - Last week, candidates for city council were profiled, now meet the women and men running for Catholic school board elections.

The vote is set for Monday, Oct. 16. There will be no vote for trustees of Yk Education District No.1, as all seven have been acclaimed.

Catholic board incumbent candidates Jane Haley and Debbi Ross could not be reached for comment.

Larry Purcka
Age: 55
Profession: Manager of technical services, Department of Transportation
Marital Status: Married with three grown sons
Practising Catholic? Yes

Purcka said his nine years' experience as a trustee have made him familiar with the issues the board must face.

"I think there are some interesting and challenging times ahead of us," he said.

"We've started some good things and I'd like to see them through."

He added that his strong linkage to the church makes him an asset to the board.

Debora Simpson
Age: 52
Profession: Educator at Genesis Group Division
Marital Status: Married with four children
Practising Catholic? No

Simpson said she is running because she believes she has a lot to offer, being well-versed in educational matters.

She served as a trustee on the board for eight years in the late '80s and early '90s.

"I have had a lot to do with the district over the years," she said.

"I've lived in the North a very long time and I think that I understand what it takes to be a good trustee."

Amy Hacala
Age: 27
Profession: Presently on maternity leave, she is a communications advisor with the government of the NWT
Marital Status: Married with three children
Practising Catholic? No

Hacala's daughter is in the Catholic school system, and she wants to ensure the school district's commitment to strong education programs continue.

"I believe that education is the most important gift we can give our kids," said Hacala, who has served as a trustee for the last three years.

"I want to sit on the board so I can work hard to ensure that my kids and the community's children have the best possible education they can get."

Raymond St. Arnaud
Age: 46
Profession: General manager for Akaitcho Business Corporation
Marital Status: Married with two children
Practising Catholic? Yes

St. Arnaud, a former trustee, said he believes Yellowknife is in need of another Catholic school.

Continuing the good work of the school board is important for him, he said and he wants to make sure, "We're always looking forward, looking ahead."

Brian Nagel
Age: 53
Profession: Project manager, Department of Public Works and Services for the government of the NWT
Marital Status: Married, with two children
Practising Catholic? Yes

Nagel said he strongly believes in a Christ-centred learning environment. He has young children in the system and wants to contribute to their education and the parish.

"My background is in finance," said the incumbent trustee.

"And I believe our system should be sustainable in the future."

His other priority is to get students back into Ecole St. Joseph school, he said.

Jennifer Debogorski
Age: 27
Profession: Nursing student, to graduate in December
Marital Status: Married with a five-month old baby
Practising Catholic? Yes

"I feel that it's important to have a safe system that empowers our children to make healthy decisions," said Debogorski.

She has many family members in the Catholic system and wants to ensure that a faith-based perspective is kept on the board, she said. "As a young and practising Catholic I feel I have a fresh perspective to add to the board," she said.

Shannon Gullberg
Age: 45
Profession: Lawyer
Marital Status: Married, with three children
Practising Catholic? Yes

Gullberg, currently chair of the school board, said she feels it is very important to maintain a Catholic school system in Yellowknife and throughout Canada.

"I believe that I have the ability to help shape the future of Catholic schools here in Yellowknife," she said.

Mary Vane
Age: Withheld
Profession: owns Aurora Crystal, a crystal shop
Marital Status: Married with three children
Practising Catholic? Yes

Vane has served on the board for five years, and said she wants to continue to serve.

"I am pleased with the delivery of education in this district and would like to make a contribution to ensure that the same level of education is continued," she said

Linda Jardine
Age: 55
Profession: Pastoral assistant at St. Patrick's Parish
Marital Status: Married with four children
Practising Catholic? Yes

Jardine said that she felt "particularly called to run," at this time.

It is important to have Catholics on a Catholic school board, and as a Catholic parent, she wants to make sure that the school board is the best it can be, she said.

"In order to have policies that are best for the Catholic school board, I think you need to have Catholic trustees," she said

Debbi Ross
Age: 48
Marital Status: married with two children
Profession: human resource consultant
Catholic: yes
Reason for running: The incumbent said she is passionate about faith-based education. "I think I can make a difference," she said, "I have quite a bit of experience in board governance, both elected and volunteer."

Jane Haley
On vacation and unavailable for comment.

Asking the candidates

Yellowknifer is asking each candidate for the Yellowknife Catholic Schools board of trustees three questions based on issues that will likely come up over the next three-year term. Here they are:

1. What should be done about overcrowding in the Catholic schools?

2. Should Catholic school trustees be required to be Catholic?

3. Should there be more Catholic religious instruction in the schools?

Answers to each question are limited to 50 words and will be printed in Yellowknifer Oct. 13. Deadline for submitting answers is 5 p.m. Oct. 10. Candidates can drop off their answers at Yellowknifer's office (5108-50th Street), by fax 873-8507 or e-mail to editorial@nnsl.com. Please make sure they are sent to the attention of Amanda Vaughan.