Focus on students, not board relations

Re. “Education minister urges boards to resolve bus fuss,” Jan. 25

For some years, the issue of shared transportation has been a topic of public and school board discussion. The value of such an initiative seems obvious.

Despite this, an agreement between the Edmonton Catholic and Edmonton Public school boards has been in the negotiation stage since 2014. Even Education Minister David Eggen has waded into the conversation, urging boards to create shared transportation agreements.

Progress appeared to have been made Tuesday when the Edmonton Public board agreed to set up a student transportation authority that would oversee shared transportation between the two districts. The response of the Catholic board was less promising. Catholic board chair Terry Harris stated a lack of respect from public trustees may prevent the Catholic board from entering such an agreement.

This agreement promises to achieve a savings of about $2.5 million. The Catholic share of this savings would appear to be over $1 million, money that would presumably find its way into Catholic classrooms.

Is the Catholic board prepared to turn its back on $1 million of classroom funding to make a point about respect?

I suggest that student success is the first priority for school boards. Mr. Harris has lost his way. Education of students is the objective, not ensuring respectful board relations, whatever that means.

Michael Rezko, Edmonton