Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 28, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Two long-standing board members were elected as the new chair and vice-chair of Yellowknife Catholic Schools at a board meeting Nov. 21.

Long-standing board members Mary Vane, left and Debbi Ross were elected as chair and vice-chair respectively of the Yellowknife Catholic School board Nov. 21. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

Mary Vane, the only board member to put her name forward for the position, was acclaimed as chair. She replaces former chair Shannon Gullberg, who stepped down in September after moving to Alberta. Debbi Ross was acclaimed as vice-chair.

"Of course, Shannon doesn't have big feet, but they're big shoes to fill," said Ross.

The two agreed that one of their top priorities this year will be dealing with the school space issue.

"Facilities and overcrowding of our district is a continuing concern for all of us," said Vane.

With their schools averaging 96.6 per cent capacity at the last count, the school board last year put pressure of the minister of Education, Culture, and Employment for more space. The minister at the time, Charles Dent, asked Yellowknife Education District No. 1 to close down one of their schools and hand it over to YCS, but all that came from the request was an offer for space sharing. YCS then purchased modular classrooms for St. Joseph school.

Vane comes into the position with experience in education, having first come to the district as a teacher, and was one of the first to organize a politically-structured Parent Advisory Committee. She has been a member of the board for the last eight years.

Vane is self-employed, owning a small business selling crystal out of her home.

Ross is also self-employed, working as a human resource consult. She's been in the community for 30 years, and has been a member of the board for the last 10 years.

"I felt like it was my turn to step up for leadership," said Ross.

Vane has three adult children, all of whom went through the Catholic school system in Yellowknife. Ross has two children who both graduated from St. Patrick high school.

The board also has one new member, Marta Simek de Jorge.

De Jorge has two children in the Catholic school system, one 12-year-old son at St. Joseph school and one 15-year-old son at St. Patrick high school.

She owns a business with her husband called Energy Wall that specializes in energy efficient construction.

De Jorge fills a position vacated by Larry Purcka, who had been acting chairperson of the board, and who has stepped down.

After sitting on the board for 10 years, Purcka said he resigned because of the time commitment the job required.

"My life is busy enough," said Purcka. "I didn't feel I could make the commitment and I didn't want to hold the board back ... with the reorganization in November, I figured it was the opportune time."

During his time on the board, Purcka sat for four years as chair and five years as vice-chair.