In regards to the Oct. 4 article ìChinook's Edge streamlines fees for urban school bus usersî by Patrick Teskey, I am very excited that the $330 was dropped to $110. What I am not impressed on is what it took to get there.The article says the change ìwas made possible by savings CESD had seen in its transportation budget.î At the end of June I and another mother were told our fee for busing would be $330 per child because we were under 1.6 km from school. We spoke with the department saying we have no sidewalk on the route we were calculated on and that we should be calculated by way of sidewalk, which brings our distance to 1.7 km making us eligible for $110. We were denied, the department saying that they have to draw the line somewhere and they make NO money in their transportation budget; in fact I was told they lose money on their busing. Now they have a surplus?I suggested then that lowering the busing fee would allow more families to get their children on the bus and therefore giving the department more opportunity to make money on their buses. For the month of September I was on the phone with our school trustee, our MLA, our local bylaw and peace officers giving me all of the information and backup I needed to present a proper and professional appeal to the Chinook's Edge School Division about this. I was told that a motion was passed and they would give me an answer after the board meeting on Sept. 28. I never heard a word from anyone until I read this article on Thursday, Oct. 6. It was this work and the work of other parents bringing their concerns to the table as well that got this structure changed.Bev Smith
