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HAY RIVER - It looks like some francophone students in Hay River may be attending classes in a hotel basement until spring.

The territorial government is considering obtaining modular classrooms for the students, who were moved to the Ptarmigan Inn because of overcrowding at Ecole Boreale.

However, Philippe Brulot, superintendent of the Commission Scolaire Francophone, Territories du Nord-Ouest, said a government official informed the board two weeks ago that modular buildings could not be installed until the spring.

"Nothing is definite yet," Brulot said.

The board also received a letter from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on Oct. 24 confirming it is considering modular classrooms.

Brulot said modular classrooms would be better and larger than portable classrooms.

"It looks more like a real classroom," he said.

Since Sept. 8, 21 students from Ecole Boreale have been learning in the basement of the Ptarmigan Inn. Brulot said the department has done everything possible to make the hotel a good learning setting.

"Unfortunately, we're still talking about a basement of a hotel," he said. "It's not the most appropriate space."

Shawn McCann, the manager of public affairs with the department, confirmed it is considering installing modular classrooms, but it won't be until the spring.

The space at the Ptarmigan Inn has been divided into three classrooms and a small student lounge for Grades 7-11.

Over the summer, the Commission Scolaire Francophone went to court to force the GNWT to find a solution to the school's overcrowding.

The NWT Supreme Court ordered the territorial government to temporarily accommodate overflow students from Ecole Boreale in three classrooms at two English-language schools, until the government could find space elsewhere.

The department proposed the Ptarmigan Inn alternative to the French-language school board and it was accepted as a short-term solution.

Brulot said modular classrooms would likely be home to overflow students until a permanent solution is found through the court case.