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French school district says it was 'misled' after city denies funding proposal

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NNSL file photo

A group of representatives from the French school board were denied funding from city council on Monday after months of requesting additional grant money.

School board representatives and members of Ecole Allain St.- Cyr's parent advisory council were in front of city council to discuss their attempt to obtain a $10,000 grant which would help it secure amenities such as three kitchen stations, a sound system, lighting system and stage when the construction of the school is completed.

Commission Scolaire Francophone Territoires de Nord-Ouest superintendent  Yvonne Careen said the city missed on an opportunity to help the community.

Commission Scolaire Francophone de Nord-Ouest Superintendent Yvonne Careen poses for a picture on Thursday at her office. Careen said she is determined to obtain funding for the school board after being denied $10,000 in grant funding by city council on Monday.
Michael Hugall/NNSL photo

“I think the (city council) really dropped the ball on this,” said Careen. “Maybe that's a mistake on our part and we can't help but ask ourselves 'did we overlook a stipulation in the grant process?' ... But what can you do when somebody a year ago tells you to access certain funding and then you talk to two other city officials and they mislead you without correction?”

The school hopes to get a clearer understanding of what the city wants to see from them in order to secure grant funding. One of the stipulations discussed after the city denied the grant money is to re-apply for a smaller amount of city funding and ask that it go toward the “beautification” of the school's playground.

“Had they told us at the onset when we were preparing our application that is was for outdoor beautification or resetting of the playground we would have adjusted completely,” said Careen. “Another possibility is we wait until the construction is completed, that we look at what is the most pressing concerns and we decide to tackle the project and apply again next year.”

City councillor Rebecca Alty, although supportive of the school being a community space, said unless certain criteria is met the city would not be able to provide funding.

“As great a the gym and the culinary space and the theatre for this policy is, the grounds work is the only thing that would be eligible,” she told the school at the Monday council meeting. “It may be better for you to reapply in 2019.”

The process for obtaining funding from the city began one year ago, when members of the parent advisory council began looking for money to help extend the gym floor which would accommodate city-wide events.

“It's time for the city to do its part” said fundraising coordinator Sylvie Francoeur.

Francoeur said Ecole Allain St.-Cyr is aiming to turn their new facility into a place where community groups will want to host dinners and forums. Quite possibly a place where sports organizations will be able to host tournaments. In order to make their dream a reality the parent advisory council (PAC) is hoping to raise $150,000 in additional funding.

“A school in itself does not need all of the extra equipment,” said Francoeur. “However, the whole project we are suggesting will give the school a community feel.

So far the school's parent advisory council has raised $11,000 through school sanctioned initiatives.

The building, currently under construction, is funded by the GNWT at a cost of $11.97 million. It's scheduled to open Oct. 31.