Facing a significant transportation deficit, Rocky View Schools will now consult with families in the school division to determine the best option going forward.

The consultations will help the School Board address a $1 million deficit in the busing budget.

"The biggest reason is underfunding of student transportation from the Province," said Chair Todd Brand, "Over the past decade, the costs of transporting students have risen by almost 18 percent and unfortunately grant increases have only risen by less than 1.5 percent."

Brand explained there are other factors contributing to the deficit. The carbon tax is expected to have a $360,000 impact, and the division will not get sufficient money through a new Transportation Fee Replacement Grant, which uses 2015/16 student counts, because of rapid growth.

This year, the school division depleted its transportation reserves and will now have to reckon with a shortage of funding going forward. That means the School Board needs to either reduce cost or increase revenue. Brand said increasing revenue is unlikely, due to an inability to charge sufficient transportation fees under Bill One. As a result, Rocky View is exploring cost saving measures.

"We have outlined some things that could include longer bus rides for some students, changing our walk distances so that students are walking longer to get to bus stops, and perhaps changes in our bell times. All those things are ways that we could find some efficiencies and bring our costs down."

Brand said another option to fund transportation would involve taking money from instructional funds. While some other school divisions resort to that, Rocky View is hesitant to as they don't want to negatively impact classrooms.

Now, the School Board is looking for feedback.

"We want to hear from our communities, including families who use our transportation but also those who don't, because these solutions that we're looking at really have potential impact on all families who are a part Rocky View Schools. We want to get their feedback on the options that we see as potential cost saving options, we want their evaluation of the different options."

Brand said they are also open to new ideas that might emerge from the consultations. The consultation process will be a way for the division to gauge which options are most welcomed by parents in Rocky View.

A survey is currently available for parents and Rocky View staff to give feedback. The survey will be followed by three public meetings in mid-February, than a second survey in March. Finally, the board will make a decision on the future of transportation on April 21.

 

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