September 24, 1999
(Education)

Department to adhere to bussing policy

"The Department of Education provides bussing to designated schools, only," says Education Minister Judy Foote.

"It is regrettable that the Avalon East School Board passed a motion last evening requesting the department to provide funding for bussing to schools other than the designated schools. I can only assume that the school board trustees were not fully aware of the implications of their request," said the minister. "The department currently spends $27.3 million to provide bussing to students who attend their designated school. If the department were to agree to the board's request to provide bussing to schools of parents' choice, millions of dollars would have to be added to the current budget. The department's transportation policies are already one of the most generous in the country." For example, in New Brunswick, students must reside 2.4 kms from school and 3.6 kms from school in Nova Scotia (with the exception of Halifax where it is 2.4) before bussing is provided B in Newfoundland it is 1.6 km or more.

"In approving parents' requests to transfer their children to St. Kevin's Elementary in the Goulds rather than their designated school, St. Augustine's, the board advised parents in writing that they would be responsible for transporting their child to school," said Minister Foote. Contrary to the comments of the Opposition leader, Ed Byrne, the board has not advised the Department of Education that it has changed the designated school for the students in Kilbride. The designated school is St. Augustine's and the department's bussing policy provides for bussing to the designated school only.

"The Avalon East school board has several instances of students being permitted to attend a school other than their designated school," said Ms. Foote. "If we bus children from Kilbride to their non-designated school, thousands of other students in similar circumstances will also demand bussing. We have to apply the policy fairly and consistently."

Media contact: Nancy Healey, (709) 729-0048.

1999 09 24                                         4:55 p.m.