Dear Editor
I was pleased to see the Regional Optimist article “Bus procedures reviewed” Oct. 24 where Living Sky School Division has announced a meeting to review some of its busing procedures.
I am apparently one of several parents who have been dealing with Living Sky School Division, Colin Westgard and the board of education on busing issues that have still not been resolved.
According to the article, a few exceptions to the rule have been made recently; specifically regarding the .75-kilometre rule. This specific rule has been the problem in my situation and I understand many others’. Unfortunately, I have been denied an opportunity to present my concerns to the school board in person.
According to a recent email between Mr. Westgard and myself, he advised me there will be no parents or parent delegate allowed at these upcoming meetings in November.
I would like to applaud Glenn Wouters who states in your article " … chief concern is safety.” He doesn't like to see very young children walking to school in the dark or on crowded roads as this is a real concern for many parents.
I know for years children have walked to and from school and I was one of those children. Walking was a healthy and fun beginning and end to my school day, but unfortunately, times have changed. There are fewer children on the streets, more traffic on the roads and fewer adults and parents at home watching for the safety of youngsters going to and from school.
I do know that in other communities they have begun fee-for-service busing to help with some of these exact problems. LSSD does not offer fee-for-service busing currently, but I believe a fee-for-service bus is something they need to seriously consider.
I have talked with several parents with varying busing issues who are frustrated with the current system. I am hoping by writing this letter that I can help to organize those families who are exasperated with their own busing situations and we can present a united front to the school board and transportation department with all of our concerns. We all need to work together to come up with solutions.
Parents, please contact me and we can organize and come to the school board together to help make changes. I can be reached via email at colleen.blais@sasktel.net.
Colleen Blais
Battleford
