Tensions jeopardize school-bus sharing deal
A shared busing agreement between Edmonton’s public and Catholic school boards that could shorten ride times and save parents money hangs in the balance over tension between the boards.
Edmonton Public trustees unanimously approved a motion Tuesday to create a joint Edmonton Student Transportation Authority — a separate corporate entity that would run buses for both boards.
The motion also requested Edmonton Catholic trustees make a decision about the deal by March 15 to be ready for the next school year.
“It’s a win-win for both districts. More importantly, it’s a win for students and families,” public board chairwoman Michelle Draper said in an interview Tuesday.
But Edmonton Catholic trustees want to see more “respect” from public trustees first, Catholic board chairman Terry Harris said Tuesday.
“There’s a narrative that has been supported by behaviours from some of their trustees that has caused us to pause on this, to draw an inference that there is not the needed level of mutual respect that we would have to have, to have that sort of relationship,” Harris said in an interview Tuesday.
He declined to provide examples of which behaviours Catholic trustees found disrespectful. The Catholic board will communicate directly with the public board about how they could improve their relationship, Harris said.
Last year, public trustee Michael Janz questioned whether the public board could offer Catholic programs as an alternative program. He also said Catholic school enrolment is artificially inflated because the province disproportionately funds the construction of new Catholic schools.
The public board also rejoined the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta, which has a mandate to advocate for a single publicly funded school system in Alberta.
Harris said the Catholic board is keen to share more buses with Edmonton public, as well as the francophone school board and possibly charter schools.
In 2014, a steering committee of members from the Catholic and public districts presented a feasibility study that found combining the bus systems would save the boards $2.5 million to $2.7 million annually. It would also improve service for some children by shortening ride times.
Both districts have since grown substantially, adding more pupils, new schools and more bus routes.
Edmonton public superintendent Darrel Robertson told trustees Tuesday the plan will still save money and improve service, and it could potentially help stave off hikes in busing fees.
Public board vice-chairwoman Bridget Stirling said she’d rather the boards reach a voluntary agreement than be forced by the province.
Bill 28, passed in the fall, gives the education minister the power to compel boards to share transportation.
Public trustee Trisha Estabrooks said constituents are frustrated by half-empty buses driving the same routes to public and Catholic schools metres away from each other.
There’s a narrative that has been supported by behaviours from some of their trustees that has caused us to pause on this.