A lengthy debate on transportation fees left the Rocky View School Board deadlocked at Thursday's (April 13) meeting.

The board was discussing proposed fee increases that could have seen a hike of $95 to $105 from their current level. 

The school division currently faces a large deficit when it comes to transportation. For this school year, the deficit is projected at about $600,000, higher than the approved budget deficit of $455,158. That deficit, combined with other factors such as a 1% increase to the Calgary Consumer Price Index (CCPI), adjustment to bus contractors and an increase for the carbon tax in the upcoming year, leave the division facing a transportation budget deficit of $1,050,000 prior to fee considerations.

The problem stems from a lack of revenue for transportation. Since 2008, revenue for transportation has increased by only 1.27%, while changes in CCPI have increased by 19.10%. That leaves Rocky View facing a net decrease of 17.83%.

Compounding the problem is the Government of Alberta's Bill 1: An Act to Reduce School Fees. Under this new bill, school divisions will no longer be allowed to charge transportation fees to students living 2.4 kilometers or more from their designated school.

This maelstrom has left Rocky View with limited options to balance the transportation budget. The division could choose one or more of the following options: Raise fees for students living less than 2.4 kilometers from their designated school, transfer money from instruction funds, reduce or limit service, or dip into one-time transportation reserves. The fee increases of $95 to $105 dollars was the recommendation of RVS staff.

After more than an hour of debate and discussion, four separate motions were defeated by the school board. Some trustees expressed concern over the steep increase to fees, while others worried about creating a two-tier system for students that would have to pay for busing. Eventually, the board tabled and deferred the discussion to an upcoming meeting.

 

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