YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Catholic School board's revenue will increase slightly next year, despite a decrease in enrolment.

YCS's share of student enrolment decreased to 42.1 percent from 44.4 percent last year. Yellowknife Education District No. 1 now has 57.9 percent of student enrolment, and will get $337,000 more in municipal taxes.

The decrease in enrolment means the Catholic school board will receive $122,000 less from municipal taxes, however the school board's revenue will increase overall thanks $1.1 million more in GNWT funding. The money is designated for inclusive schooling, trades training, and physical activity programming - additional funding that is going to school boards across the territory.

Superintendent of Business Mike Huvenaars said that the money will be spent on additional trades training staff, lowering the pupil-to-teacher ratio to 13.95:1 and increasing the number of support assistants and classroom assistants.

The budgeted surplus will increase the school board's accumulative surplus to $753,415, which falls at slightly less than the ministry of Education, Culture and Employment's recommendations of keeping 5 to 10 percent of revenue.

"But I think it's enough to keep us through the rainy days," said Huvenaars.

The school board is in negotiations with Yk 1 on arrangements for school space next year. After a fire at St. Joseph school last summer, the school board now houses around 125 students at Yk 1's N.J. Macpherson school.

Huvenaars said the board would like to move 200 students into Yk 1 space next year.

"It's better mechanically and financially," said Huvenaars.

He said administering just 100 students is challenging, requiring an awkward division of staff, with some having to move between two spaces. He said that being able to house 200 students in one location would be the best case scenario for the school board.

Huvenaars said that negotiations are ongoing with Yk 1, and he expects to know how many students will be displaced by the end of this week.