GNWT to pursue court appeal
Education authority and French school board say message from the public has been heard loud and clear
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 24, 2014
HAY RIVER
The Department of Education, Culture, and Employment has received notices from both the Hay River District Education Authority (DEA) and Commission scolaire francophone (CSF) reporting the result of public meetings has been a resounding "no" to a proposed school swap.
"We learned that both the commission and the DEA do not accept to continue discussion (with regards to a school swap) and we accept that decision," deputy minister of education Gabriela Eggenhofer told The Hay River Hub last week.
"The Department of Justice is now focusing on presenting our case in court March 24 through 26."
Education, Culture, and Employment had proposed an exchange between facilities at Harry Camsell School and Ecole Boreale in Hay River to satisfy a 2012 court ruling granting both schools under the CSF greater access to services, such as a gym, shop, and home economics classroom.
Both boards consulted Hay River residents two weeks ago with a similar response - namely that the government needs to step up and provide the facilities required at Ecole Boreale instead of spending money and time in the court system.
"We've been engaged in this process since mid-August," said Eggenhofer. "Both parties have been extremely collaborative and generous with their time and we had some very open and frank discussions."
She said she had been surprised at the response from the community, as the DEA and CSF's reactions had originally been more positive about the idea.
Both groups, however, have maintained that they are guided by the parents and residents they serve.
"The HRDEA obviously had concerns with the proposed MOU going into our community consultation meeting March 4th, and feedback from parents confirmed the (Hay River District Education Authority) was headed in the right direction," said education authority chairperson Terence Courtoreille. "As a result, the (education authority) voted unanimously to not sign the proposed MOU."
The letter sent by the district education authority to the Department of Education, Culture, and Employment March 5, the day following the public consultation, stated as much. It said that while the board trusts that a viable solution can be found, the authority cannot support a school swap.
"As per current practice, our stance does not eliminate our continued desire and willingness to continue to be good neighbours and engage in continuing partnership arrangements of mutual benefit with the Commission scolaire and its school administration and staff at Ecole Boreale," the letter reads.
Eggenhofer said the matter now rests with the Department of Justice. The appeal will be heard in Yellowknife March 24 through 26 but a ruling will not likely be swiftly forthcoming.
"We will await the decision made by the court," she said. "There's no guarantee for when it will come, but we are speculating it could take between five and eight months."
