Calgary Board of Education's $13M bus budget shortfall subject of workshops

Calgary's public school board is inviting parents to help it solve a $13-million problem.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) kicked off the first five public meetings Wednesday night by asking parents how it should deal with that deficit in its transportation budget.

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The CBE says thereis a $13-million gap between what the province provides and the actual cost of transporting 37,000 students to school each day.

CBE transportation director Carrie Edwards described the shortfall as a major challenge.

"When you think about $13 million, it's the equivalent of about 130 teachers or about four elementary schools," she said.

Last year, the CBE faced a backlash when it tried to save money by increasing the distance students had to walk to catch a bus.

First,the CBE saidit wouldbe reducingitsbusroutes and moving from "community-based' to "congregated" bus stops. That meant some students were made towalk as far as 2.4 kilometres to catch a ride.

That decision was reversed last September, when theNDP movedto shorten the maximum distancestudents wouldhave to walk to catch the bus to school.

'Last year ...we had no idea what was happening'

Parent Linda Curilla says she's getting involved because she doesn't want to be blindsided again by such policy changes.

"We just want to make sure that we are all on board, we're all aware of what's happening, as compared to what happened last year when we had no idea what was happening," she said.

Parent Ted O'Grady says he doesn't want the division's bus budget woes to cut into student learning.

"Making sure our kids have the best education we can give them and the Calgary Board of Education does a great job. I'd like to make sure the money stays in the classroom," he said.

Future meeting dates

Parents can offer their feedback at more workshop meetings on Thursday night and Tuesday next week.

Two more sessions will be held May3 and 4.

The CBE provides more information on its website.

The school board will announce its transportation budget plan later in May.