GYPSD reponds: Proposal of Bill 1 - Elimination of School and Transportation Fees

Special to the Post

The Board of Trustees was very pleased to hear that the province is honouring their promise to Albertan families in the reduction of some of the school and transportation fees for the 2017-18 school year through their proposed Bill 1.

The specifics of Bill 1 in regards to transportation and instructional material fees as well as their funding implications to individual school boards are currently unknown until the 2017-18 provincial Budget is outlined later this month.

The Bill proposes that transportation fees charged to eligible students attending their designated school and living outside of the 2.4km boundary are to be eliminated - something that already aligns with Grande Yellowhead’s policy.

“As a division, we only charge transportation fees to those students within 2.4kms (defined as ineligible) as this is considered to be a parent’s choice, and we do not receive specific funding for these students,” noted Board Chair Brenda Rosadiuk. “The elimination of grade/ cohort instructional material fees also forms part of Bill 1 although the definition of what ‘materials’ are, or are not, covered has yet to be clearly determined. We are also waiting to hear if boards will have alternate funding provided to assist us in still meeting our core learning priorities.”

Currently, GYPSD assesses an instructional material fee of $70 for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6; $80 for Grades 7-9 and $95 for Grades 10-12 with a family maximum of $245. Under Bill 1, this fee will be eliminated for the 2017-18 school year.