Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 14, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A majority of people who called Yellowknifer's phone poll say the public and Catholic boards should share a school when St. Joseph school undergoes renovations.

In all, 61 people placed votes, with 79% of 48 saying sharing was the way to go and 21% or 13 saying Yellowknife Public Education District No. 1 should close a school that could then be leased to Yellowknife Catholic Schools to hold students displaced during renovations at St. Joe's.

Education minister Charles Dent wants Yk 1 to close a school because the district has too many empty classrooms. He said it makes economic and educational sense to close a school and consolidate programs. Yk 1 board says closing a school is the wrong move, and that it's prepared to meet with YCS to discuss sharing empty Yk 1 classrooms.

Yellowknifer asked people to call in and let us know what they wanted. Here's what four people had to say:

"I think it should be noted that Sissons school is also due for renovations at the same time as St. Joe's so therefore Yk 1 needs to displace their students into their own schools."

"I think it's a ridiculous idea. Yk 1 has had to work through a lot of changes with the school at Mildred Hall, with the renovations there, and we'll do so when Sissons gets done. Why should our kids that go to Yk 1 schools, why should they have to move just to accommodate the Catholics? It's ridiculous, it's stupid. They need to share the space and just get over it."

"I think it's ridiculous that the Catholic school board wants to take over a public school. If it's a capacity issue, perhaps the Catholic school board should be a little more selective in their enrolment as I know for a fact there are non-Catholics in the Catholic system as my child is accepted and we are not Catholic. We enrolled in St. Joe's simply because it was across the street. We are not Catholic and it didn't seem to matter. So, if it's a capacity issue as to why they need the extra space, my suggestion is that rather than take over an extra school, that they be more selective in their enrolment."

"Although I agree that it is very difficult to close a school, that has certainly been done in many cities when school populations in certain areas don't warrant keeping a school open. I believe Mr. Dent is right. I do not think that, because of the nature of a Catholic school, that it makes sense educationally or financially to use the option suggested by Yk 1. So even though it is painful, I do believe that a Yk 1 school should be leased to Yellowknife Catholic Schools."