By Curtis Galbraith

PWSD trustees to talk about transportation funding shortfall with local MLAs

Dec 6, 2018 | 4:30 AM

Trustees with the Peace Wapiti School Division want to talk about transportation funding when they meet with local MLAs Wayne Drysdale, Todd Loewen, and Marg McCuaig-Boyd Friday.
 
Board Chair Dana McIntosh says in the 14 years she has been on the school board, shortages in transportation funding have added up to close to $5-million, money that has had to be taken from other areas.
 
“Last year alone, we had a deficit of almost $804,000 in transportation. Can you imagine what that would look like in the classroom? What almost a million dollars more would do for our students in the classroom?” 
 
She adds some kids get on the bus at 7 a.m. and get home at 5 p.m., meaning they will have put in a 10-hour day by the time they get home.
 
“It is a very long day. What we’re hoping is that not only can we have an increase in funding to cover the deficit, but, also, to help alleviate some of those situations for our kids.”
 
McIntosh says they have asked for other changes as well.  
 
“We’ve been asking for a full provincial review of the grid system for multiple years. We’ve had input into a number of government consultations and no change has come of it.”
 
McIntosh says they previously spoke with Education Minister David Eggen.  After they spoke with him, he agreed to come meet, but then said his schedule won’t allow for it. 
 
She adds the get-together tomorrow with local MLAs will also be a chance to share some good news stories with the local politicians.