Still no school bus for north valley kids

Cayla Gabruck

Pioneer Staff

October 30, 2009

Months of lobbying has come to a disappointing end for several parents living north of Edgewater.

Vicki Roberts of Spillimacheen, was just one of several parents fighting for a return school bus service for six young children living in the area.  The group took their concerns to the school board but, even after the annual school bus review was completed, the decision remained the same – children living north of Edgewater would have to find another way home from Edgewater Elementary School.

“I’m very disappointed and frustrated,” Ms. Roberts commented.  “The words I would use to describe it cannot be published.”

According to Vicki, the school board broke the news of their decision to parents last week, stating a lack of funding and that they simply had no bus to give them.

“With the snow and stuff coming.  I’m frustrated with the whole thing,” she said.  “Now, not only am I going to have my school child at risk, I have my three year old and my unborn child at risk, everyday on the highway.”

Bendina Miller, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain School District No. 6, said legislation requires the school district to support children who live outside the walking distance.  The walking distance is defined as four kilometers from the nearest bus stop for children in kindergarten to Grade 3 and 4.8 kilometres for children in Grades 4 to 12.

For those living beyond walking distance, the district provides either a school bus or financial assistance: a subsidy of 20 cents per kilometers up to $10 per day, plus 30 cents per child.

Vicki said the parents will be meeting with the school district again in the next week to discuss further options, but she has no idea what will come of the talks.

“A bigger subsidy would be nice, but if they can’t afford the funds for a bus they can’t afford a large subsidy,” Vicky said.  “It’s not even the whole money thing it’s just that there should be a bus – we pay school taxes for a reason.”

The return bus route north of Edgewater was dropped in 2002 due to the shortage of riders.  Currently six children from north of Edgewater ride the bus to the school in the morning, but according to the school district, this is too few children to warrant a return trip – although board policy does not specify a minimum number of riders to require a school bus.

“I think it’s just an easy way out for them to not give us a bus,” she said.