2 senior staff leave Yukon Department of Education

Two senior staff have left their jobs at theYukon Department of Education.

Albert Traskwas the assistant deputy minister of public schoolsand Trish Smillie wasdirector of student support services.

The department has not explained why the two officials left. A spokesperson says it's a personnel matter, so the department will not offer any more details.

Trask and Smillie follow another high-profile official out the doorofthe education department.Val Royleresigned as deputy ministerlast month. No explanation was given for Royle's departure either.

The departures come within months of a cabinet shuffle that saw Doug Graham take over as education minister.

Last year, Trask's credentialscame under scrutiny whenthe Yukon Teacher's Association said his PhD did not come from an accredited university that met Canadian standards. Opposition parties questioned Trask'scalling himself"doctor."

Traskdismissed the criticism, saying his PhD was validand entitled him to use the honorific.