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RANKIN INLET - A decision on possible changes to the school year is expected to be on the agenda when the Rankin Inlet District Education Authority (DEA) meets today.

Stan Anderson chairs the seven-member DEA board.

Rankin Inlet District Education Authority chairperson Stan Anderson expects a decision on whether to change the school schedule in Rankin could be reached at today's meeting. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

He said two meetings were held this past month to gather information and give educators a chance to voice their thoughts and concerns.

"We also sent out questionnaires with the students for their parents to fill out and bring back," said Anderson.

"We hope to come to a final decision or recommendation today, in terms of what the next school year will look like.

"To stay on pay cycles, the start dates will either be Aug. 3, which is a bit earlier than normal, or Aug. 17, which is later than normal.

"The other option is Aug. 31, which is quite a bit later than normal, but close to the usual start date for southern schools."

Anderson said if school starts on Sept. 7, it would finish at the end of June.

He said school started on Aug. 10 in 2008, and is scheduled to finish up at the beginning of June.

"Our school dates have been based around the weather because families would want to be out on the land in June, so the kids wouldn't be in school anyhow.

"It was decided to start a little earlier so the kids would still receive their full 10 months in school."

Anderson said a number of people in the community have approached the DEA to look at changing the school schedule.

He said one problem with the current schedule are the students who have to write departmental exams near the end of June.

"The teachers have all gone by then, and the students have been out of school for a month and tend to sometimes forget the material.

"We have to make sure the students writing departmentals have every bit of support they can get.

"It's tough enough for them to write these exams without feeling like they're on their own, but is it proper to change everyone's life to suit two or three students?

"We have to ensure whatever decision the board makes is in the best interests of the students, but, no matter what decision is made, some people aren't going to be happy with it."