Chinook’s Edge School Division cites transportation budget challenges as the reason behind a busing fee increase for students living within 2.4 kilometres of their respective schools.
The increase arrived via board motion on April 8, and will see fees rise to $300 for students whose residence lies within the 2.4-kilometre boundary.
Students living on our outside the boundary won’t see any changes, while students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 living between 1.6 and 2.4 kilometres away will only pay half the amount.
Superintendent Kurt Sacher in a letter to parents last week noted pressures from the provincial budget and the loss of an annual fuel subsidy were to blame for the increase.
“We have worked hard as a division over the past few years to determine how best to address this burgeoning budget shortfall in our transportation department,” he wrote. “In the end, after much reflection and research, we have created a basic framework which prioritizes our busing services.”
He added the division has been working to come up with ways of addressing transportation budget shortfalls, and recently consulted with neighbouring divisions in a bid to help streamline services.
“(We) will continue to work toward that goal.”
Provincial funding helps offset costs for students who live 2.4 kilometres away or farther, but space may be limited for students who live closer.
The division’s transportation director holds responsibility in managing that space.
Board trustees have met with the provincial education minister in a bid to raise the province’s awareness of the division’s transportation challenges.
They and the division’s central office staff will carry on the pursuit of increased funding for transportation.
“As one of the province’s largest rural school divisions, we fully acknowledge busing as a vital service to our students and families,” Sacher wrote. “(We) will continue to advocate for adequate transportation funding so that we can provide a high level of bus service to our students and families.”
Fees will be charged to a maximum of two students per qualifying family.