Kids heading back to school, yet parents may have to pay more this year

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Back to school is an exciting time of year but some parents could feel the pinch a little more this year.

That’s because families who live more than 2.4 kilometres from their school will have to pay for the bus.

Under the Alberta NDP’s Bill 1 in 2017, those fees were scrapped along with other fees. Now, the UCP government is doing away with the subsidy and that has some parents worried.

“I think it’s not fair for the family who tries to make a good living for their kids,” said one Dad. “I think services should be free for the schools.”

Others we spoke to lived within the free bussing zone so the changes didn’t affect them. One woman believed changes like this are necessary.

“I think we have to stop expecting the government and others to pay for things. I think if it’s a certain distance there’s more justification for it to be paid. I have to say parents have some responsibility as well.”

READ MORE: Minister of Education says school board fees are coming down

Last year, the Calgary Board of Education charged $365 a year for busing while the Calgary Catholic School Division was around $270.

That’s on top of other fees like noon-hour supervision.

The United Conservatives also made a change to how school boards manage their fees. In the past, boards needed approval from the Minister of Education before raising fees by more than five per cent. That stipulation has now been removed, leading to some mixed reaction.

“Depends on what the average hikes would be,” said one man. “I partly agree,” said another. “Teachers have to raise their salaries as well, this is the only way they can have more profit.”

Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley is criticizing the fee changes saying the UCP failed to provide funding certainty to school boards leading to the hike in fees.

Students heading back to school Tuesday will see overcrowded classrooms, a lack of supports and it will cost their parents more to send them on the bus. This is all the fault of @jkenney and @AdrianaLaGrange who refused to provide funding certainty to school boards. #ableg #abed

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) September 2, 2019

With files from CityNews