Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to know what the Minister of Education's plan is to resolve overcrowding in Ecole St. Joseph's School. Thank you
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we could have a good discussion about utilization rates here in Yellowknife, where the utilization rates vary from school to school across the community. When we look at our utilization rates, we do assess them by community, and unfortunately here in Yellowknife we do see some schools that have some high utilization rates.
I can let the Member know that there was a review conducted at the schools in May and June with the staff from my department as well as the respective education districts. They walked through the schools, looked at spaces and what the spaces were being used for compared to what they were actually designed for. In some cases, spaces that were originally identified as classroom space were actually repurposed for things such as resource rooms, storage for school supplies, or even staff rooms.
We have a consultant that we did retain to prepare a space analysis and will provide recommendations to address space utilization here in Yellowknife. We are asking that YCS, too, wait until this review is completed so we can identify those capital requirements that will address space concerns and adequacy of schools for Yellowknife district education authorities.
I'd like to thank the Minister for providing that comprehensive explanation of the work that's being done on capacity; however, this school is at 97 per cent. Does the Minister agree that that is an unacceptable situation that needs to be resolved immediately?
Yes, and that's why we've had these discussions. That's why we went and did the review in the schools to make sure that the school space was actually being used for what they were intended to be used for. Yellowknife does have a history of space sharing agreements. For instance, once St. Joseph's students had to be accommodated as a result of a fire at their school; YK1, YCS did enter into a space sharing agreement. It has happened before.
Recently, YK1 and Commission Scolaire shared space with the Ecole William McDonald School while that school is undergoing construction for their addition, so there is history of space sharing agreements here in Yellowknife and I think we can continue to work on addressing that issue. Space sharing is a viable alternative to constructing additional space when space is already available here in Yellowknife.
The Minister indicated a number of emergency situations or temporary accommodations due to construction. I think there is a big difference between those circumstances and circumstances where policy changes have brought more students into the school than the school can contain. Will the Minister look at the possibility of modular classroom facilities and report back to both the House and the school board?
Currently, our utilization rates are a little different from the ones the Member presented. We are still waiting for official enrolment rates at the schools, and we are still working with both district education bodies to try to address this space sharing, the space issues that are arising in Yellowknife schools, so we are continuing to work with them to find a solution.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suppose this is an ongoing issue with schools in Yellowknife, and I am pleased that the department is trying to lump them out because they are not all the same, and you cannot just take kids from one district and put them in another. You need to work with the school boards. Parents choose to put their kids in those school boards, and those school boards deserve the support, when we put programs like junior kindergarten and inclusive education into these schools. Again, I would like to ask the Minister: can the Minister answer if he has a cost for those modulars, what that cost would be, and if he is willing to pay it? Thank you.
Currently, I do not have those costs for modular in front of me. As I mentioned, we were waiting to see what the space analysis says and what recommendations are coming out of that report, and are prepared to make decisions when we see that report and look at those recommendations. We just ask that YCS, YK1, be patient and continue to work with us to find a solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
