After regular communication with the director of operations and the superintendent for School District #8 regarding the late arrival of bussed Trafalgar students, I have come to the conclusion that more families need to be aware of some school transportation changes that may be implemented in the next school year.
Out-of-catchment students from Slocan Valley and Bonnington currently being transported by school bus to Nelson area schools (Blewett, Wildflower, Hume, Trafalgar, LVR) may not have access to bussing as of next September.
Larry Brown (director of operations) said 100 students would be affected. French Immersion students from this area may catch the bus leaving Beasley if a seat is available (French Immersion is a district program and is not out-of-catchment). The decision to stop out-of-catchment busing in this area was made in 2009 unanimously by the school trustees.
Based on the expected $80,000 generated from the newly implemented out-of-catchment bus riders fee at $200 per student, the district estimated there would be 400 out-of-catchment bus riders in the district.
If the decision by the trustees is to stop out-of-catchment busing then 400 students or eight per cent of the 4,800 students in the district will be without busing to their current school.
Wendy Cockburn
South Slocan