Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 16, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Duff Spence will stay on as chair for Yellowknife Education District No. 1 after being elected to the position in an organizational meeting Nov. 6.

Spence was temporarily appointed to the position in September after former chair Terry Brookes stepped down because of a conflict of interest at his work.

Spence was first elected to the board just over four years ago. He said he first ran for the board after frustrations with the previous board's spending.

"The previous board was spending a lot of money on infrastructure for Sir John," said Spence. "They were taking money away from the kids. My theory was to put up or shut up so I ran for the board."

Now as chairperson, Spence doesn't expect his job to change too much, as he sees himself primarily as a spokesperson for the board.

"We agree on what our decisions are together," he said. "We may disagree on some things, but we appear as a united group."

This was evident in the elections, as only one person was nominated for each position.

Mary Lou Cherwaty, who was elected vice-chair at the meeting, said there was discussion prior to the elections.

"We talk about it beforehand to see who's prepared for the time and commitment," she said.

Cherwaty has been a trustee for two-and-a-half years.

She is also president of the Federation of Labour for the Northern Territories.

Both said they plan on continuing to push the strategic directions of the board, which include academic achievement, special needs, and aboriginal education.

During the organizational meeting, the board members also decided who would sit on what committees.