September 3, 1999
(Education)

St. John's K-6 students to receive free busing

"I am pleased to announce that children attending kindergarten to grade 6 in St. John's, who live 1.6 kilometres or more from their designated school, will be eligible for free busing," said Judy Foote, Minister of Education, today.

"Now that consolidation is complete for the 1999/2000 school year, and the number of students who live more than 1.6 km away from their designated school has been calculated, the Department of Education was able to determine the feasibility of providing busing in St. John's," added Minister Foote.

"We made the decision as soon we had the necessary information. Department of Education and Avalon East School Board officials will be working through the Labour Day weekend to ensure that busing will be available on Wednesday, September 8, the day that most children return to school. The remainder of students, who return on Friday, September 10, will be accommodated with the same expediency," said Ms. Foote.

"We are delighted with today's announcement. I know it will be of great comfort to the parents of St. John's K-6 students to know that safe, comfortable transportation is available to their children," said Kathy LeGrow, chair of the Avalon East School Board.

About 20 school buses will be required to ensure that busing is available to the 1,000 K-6 students in the St. John's area, at a cost of $350,000.

"This new expenditure is an investment in the safety of our children B an issue of the highest priority," said Ms. Foote. "Today's announcement demonstrates government's continued commitment to re-invest the savings from school reform back into the system. It follows an announcement earlier this week allowing boards to keep the savings from school closures for three years."

Media contact: Nancy Healey, Director of Communications, (709) 729- 0048

1999 09 03                                         4:25 p.m.