N.W.T. School Boards Secure Emergency Funding Amid Changes

Several school boards in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) have received one-time emergency funding from the territorial government, responding to changes in federal education support. The funding, totaling up to $14 million, is intended to address gaps created when the federal government revised the Jordan’s Principle program, cutting support for numerous education assistant positions.

Funding Allocation and Eligibility

According to Agata Gutkowska, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, three school boards have qualified for this funding: Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1), the Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO), and the Beaufort Delta Educational District. These boards are required to allocate any existing surpluses toward funding education assistant positions before accessing the new support.

Some education leaders have expressed concerns regarding this stipulation, stating that surpluses are often earmarked for other critical expenses. Gutkowska acknowledged the challenges posed by this requirement, noting that the approach aims to ensure public resources are used efficiently and equitably during this transitional period.

When YK1 announced its receipt of the funding, CBC News sought clarification on how the school board met the necessary requirements. Assistant superintendent Graham Arts stated that their primary goal is to reinstate educational assistants whose roles were previously eliminated. He emphasized that understanding the number of additional hires would depend on fulfilling commitments to current staff.

Arts did not specify the exact number of potential new hires, but YK1 has indicated it no longer has the budget to retain 79 education assistants. He mentioned that the board has been considering options to address emerging needs within the district while relying on surplus funds.

Challenges Facing Other School Boards

Not all school boards in the N.W.T. qualify for this emergency funding. Tina Schauerte, board chair for Yellowknife Catholic Schools, explained that her board is not eligible due to being in the final year of its multi-year funding agreement with Ottawa through Jordan’s Principle. Schauerte noted that any First Nations student who enrolls after the funding expires in June 2026 will not receive support under the current agreement.

In preparation for this potential funding gap, Yellowknife Catholic Schools has utilized over $400,000 from its surplus to support students, with $340,000 allocated to hiring additional classroom assistants and $75,000 for a part-time program support teacher. Schauerte indicated that there is no commitment from the N.W.T. government regarding future funding after the loss of Jordan’s Principle support.

As these school boards navigate the complexities of funding and support, the situation remains fluid. The future of education assistance for First Nations students in the N.W.T. will depend on ongoing discussions and potential collaborations between local boards and the territorial government.