YELLOWKNIFE - Controversy has erupted over a cabinet minister's letter suggesting that Yellowknife Education District 1 close a school and lease it to the Catholic board next year.

Charles Dent, minister of Education Culture and Employment addressed the YK1 school board, parents and staff of the district who attended a public meeting at William McDonald school March 7. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo Yellowknifer wants your opinion Students displaced by renovations at Ecole St. Joseph Catholic school this fall need somewhere to go. Education Minister Charles Dent wants Yellowknife Education District No. 1 to close a school and move the students to empty classrooms in its other facilities. He said it makes economic and educational sense to close a school and consolidate programs. That school could then be leased to Yellowknife Catholic Schools during the renovation at St. Joe's. 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, a position supported by everyone who spoke during a two-hour public meeting at William McDonald middle school Wednesday night. Call now Call our 24-hour, automated telephone poll at 920-4298. Press one if you believe sharing space is the best answer. Press two if you support closing a Yk 1 school that could then be leased to Yellowknife Catholic Schools while St. Joe's is renovated. Tell us your first name if you agree to have your comment posted on nnsl.com The deadline to call in your comment is 5 p.m., March 19. Answers will be printed in Yellowknifer March 21.

Parents and staff have given the idea put forward by Charles Dent, minister of Education Culture and Employment, a failing grade.

Critics said the plan, which will help alleviate stress on the Catholic system while the fire damaged St. Joe's school is renovated, will be hard on the public system.

"These are not just building cubes, they are part of our community and part of our family," Terry Brookes, YK1 Board chairman, told the approximately 275 parents and staff who filled the gym at William McDonald middle school on Wednesday night.

"The board of trustees will do everything to prevent the loss of a school and our programs."

Dent, who attended the meeting, distributed information highlighting how the YK1 board is running several schools far below capacity.

"It makes good sense, good financial sense, to close down one school," said Dent.

"If you can put that money into programming it might be beneficial for your kids."

Parents and staff who attended the meeting, however, did not agree with Dent.

"I don't educate dollars and cents, I educate kids, that's what I do," said Dean MacInnis, principal at William McDonald middle school. "It just doesn't make sense to me, especially considering this could be my daughter."

One parent highlighted recent pressure by Catholic school bard chair Shannon Gullberg, who accused the minister last month of not supporting Catholic education.

"I would hope there would be no favouritism based on religion when a reasonable and fair solution is available," said parent Paul Curren.

Dent used information predicting that there would be no increase in school enrollment over the next 10 years.

"How you can think we won't have an increase in enrollment is ridiculous," said parent Jennifer Pagonis. She said that with the growing mining industry, the population of Yellowknife would likely increase.

MLA's Sandy Lee and Robert Hawkins were also in attendance. While Lee mainly encouraged parents to write to their representatives, Hawkins took a more decisive stance.

"This is a very divisive issue. It's going to cause a ripple effect for many years" said Hawkins, who encouraged that the decision not be made strictly by numbers.

The document Dent passed out during the meeting states that $300,000 per year would be reallocated between the two districts if YK1 continues to operate all of their schools.

"If that's the way he wants to do it, then we get our funding cut," said Brookes.

Duff Spence, vice chairperson of the YK1 board, said that the current formula used to calculate capacity is favourable to the Catholic School Board.

With numerous computer labs, music rooms, and art rooms considered as classrooms, Spence said that the low utilization rate doesn't really represent what classes look like at YK1 schools.

Also, Ecole St. Joseph has three portables not considered as classrooms, so their utilization rate will appear higher.

Spence also pointed out that registration has increased for the YK1 board, from 104 registering for kindergarten in 2004, to 151 in 2007. At the end of the assembly, Dent said he thought the way the meeting was done was mainly to draw support for the school board.

"I still believe that we should have a rational discussion," said Dent.