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

Several school boards in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) have received emergency funding from the territorial government amidst significant changes to the Jordan’s Principle program. This one-time financial relief aims to address staffing gaps resulting from previous funding cuts announced earlier this year.

In March 2023, the federal government altered the Jordan’s Principle program, eliminating funding for many educational assistant positions. In response, the N.W.T. government allocated up to $14 million to support these roles across various school boards. According to Agata Gutkowska, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, three school boards have qualified for the funding: the Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1), the Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO), and the Beaufort Delta Educational District.

Funding Conditions and Challenges

To access this funding, school boards must first utilize any existing surpluses for educational assistant positions. Some education leaders have raised concerns about this requirement, arguing that surpluses are often allocated to other essential expenses. Gutkowska acknowledged the challenges this policy presents:

“This approach is intended to ensure that public resources are used efficiently and equitably across education bodies, particularly as the initiative is a temporary measure designed to provide short-term stability during a period of transition,” she stated.

When YK1 disclosed its receipt of the funding, CBC News sought clarification on how the school board met the funding criteria, the amount received, and the number of educational assistants it plans to hire. In response, Graham Arts, assistant superintendent at YK1, indicated that the board’s priority is to reinstate educational assistants whose positions were previously eliminated.

“Once we have fulfilled that commitment to our employees, we will know how many additional positions are available for any potential new hires,” Arts wrote. The school district had previously indicated a lack of funds to retain 79 educational assistants.

Meanwhile, Krista Cudmore, assistant superintendent for the Beaufort Delta Educational District, confirmed that her board also received the N.W.T. government’s one-time funding for the 2025-2026 school year. She noted that the board successfully met the requirement to apply surplus funds to education assistant positions, although she did not disclose specific figures regarding funding or staffing.

Exclusions and Concerns for Other Boards

Not all school boards in the territory qualify for this emergency funding. Tina Schauerte, board chair for Yellowknife Catholic Schools, explained that her board is currently bound by a multi-year funding agreement with Ottawa and therefore does not qualify for the N.W.T. funding.

“Our Jordan’s Principle funding is set to expire in June 2026. This means that any First Nations student requiring support who enrolls in our school division after this period would be without Jordan’s Principle funding,” Schauerte stated. She emphasized that new Indigenous students do not qualify under the existing funding agreement, leading the school board to allocate over $400,000 from its surplus to ensure support for these students.

Specifically, $340,000 has been utilized to hire additional classroom assistants, while $75,000 has been directed towards hiring a part-time program support teacher. Schauerte expressed concerns about the absence of future commitments from the N.W.T. government regarding funding once the Jordan’s Principle support ceases.

“Our board will continue to advocate for our district and look forward to working together with the N.W.T. government on finding a solution for predictable and sustainable funding for our Indigenous students,” she concluded.

The evolving situation highlights the complexities surrounding education funding in the N.W.T. as school boards navigate both immediate needs and future uncertainties.