Sooke School District mulling new school bus fee to cover rising costs
Global News
A memo sent to parents and guardians says a transportation fee is being considered for the 2024-25 school year.
Officials with the Sooke School District on Vancouver Island are thinking about charging families for school buses.
Global News acquired a memo, which was sent to parents and guardians, that says a transportation fee is being considered for the 2024-25 school year.
“With inflation and increased student enrolment in our region, transportation costs are climbing at an unsustainable rate,” staff said in the memo.
“The Board of Education is faced with the incredibly difficult task of either reallocating more funds from the classroom to sustain transportation services or implementing a transportation fee model to safeguard classroom funding.”
As of this school year, the school district allocated $3.94 million in operating funding for transportation.
According to the BC School Act, school districts in B.C. are not required to provide school bus services.
“It is the responsibility of each family to determine the best transportation option to and from school to meet their needs,” district staff said.
“Several school districts across the province offer a fee-based approach for transportation services.”
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