School District 60 considering solutions amid bus funding shortfall

It noted that previous changes to the province’s funding formula position remain in place, and as a result, parents are being reminded there’s still a distinct possibility bussing fees could become a reality and be put in place as early September of this year.

The phased-in changes have left the school district with a reworked funding shortfall of about $400,000 for the transportation system, and it says over the past year – without any success to date – it has continued to press the province to revisit the issue.

In the meantime, the school board continues to search for a fair remedial solution and now says it hopes to have a decision in that regard over the next month.

“It’s basically a placeholder announcement to let parents know we’re still thinking about this – we’re still working on this – and if we can’t find a solution that works for us financially to provide free bussing, the possibility of fees is still on the table,” says Superintendent of SD 60 Dave Sloan.

Sloan adds, “The previous board had passed that and was looking at it, and of course we got an 11th hour rescue from our associates in the Regional District, Hudson’s Hope and Taylor last time.”

He says the board does not expect the same type of financial rescue this time around.

Sloan also points out what was proposed prior to the rural partners rescue must now be re-examined.

“How do you implement this in a fair manner?” Sloan asks. “Is it per child? Is it per family? All of that will be subject to further review.”

The initial proposal called for $200.00 dollars per student, per school year with a cap of $500.00 per family.

Geographically speaking, School District 60 is one of the largest in the province and provides services to an area approximately the size of New Brunswick in the neighbourhood of 20,000 square miles.