Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return to an oral question that was asked by Mr. Ningark on October 21, 1994 regarding funding for a school principals' conference.

A principals' conference organized by the Kitikmeot Division Board of Education is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th in Yellowknife. The conference is considered important by both the board and the principals to give them an opportunity for professional development, generally, and to discuss all operational issues together. The majority of the conference costs are being funded by the board, and the principals are contributing by paying for their own accommodation.

Prior to the 1994 school year, divisional boards of education were allocated specific funds through the NWT school funding formula for principals' meetings or conferences. This specific category of funds is no longer identified in the formula, and the boards are now funded for general administration. The amount of administration funding in the formula was reviewed last year through the school finance review, and a number of changes were made in the calculation for administration to provide funding more equitably to all boards.

In establishing its budget priorities for this year, the Kitikmeot divisional board executive committee identified funding for a principals' conference, but the amount did not cover the full cost of the conference planned by the principals. The principals approached the board and proposed that they pay for their own accommodation, and the board agreed with the proposal. I believe this is a good example of local decision-making, and I commend the board for its planning and the principals for their initiative and dedication. Thank you, Madam Speaker.