Lack of a bus could keep kindergarten out of reach
Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Aug 20 2009
By: Auren Ruvinsky

Brandy Rose's five-year-old daughter Camille is eager to start kindergarten, but she is worried she will not be able to due to busing complications.

Rose, who recently moved into the Errington Elementary catchment area registered Camille there, only to discover there are no midday busses to bring children home after morning classes.

"They are willing to bus her to school in the morning but there is no bus home until after school," said Rose, who lives just outside the school's walk limit, meaning her daughter can take the bus.

"I understand they had to cut bus service due to lack of funding," Rose said, but she pointed out they are also a low income family and simply can't afford the few options such as the after school program which costs $400 a month.

District assistant secretary treasurer Graham Robertson said the district has not provided midday busing for kindergarten students for at least the four years he has been on the job, adding it has nothing to do with the recent changes.

Rose said she has been calling everyone but keeps getting bounced around. She said school district staff told her there is nothing they can do and suggested she look into subsidies. …. She talked to the government office that administers subsidies for after daycare but they told her it is not a low income problem but a transportation issue and she should talk to social services or the school district.

She has called all the political representatives she can think of, only to find them sympathetic but just as surprised and helpless as she is.

Rose doesn't drive and stays home with her two-year-old daughter while her husband has to take the only vehicle to work….

"My five-year-old sat on the couch," Rose said about discussing the options with her, "and said to me 'I'll give you all my allowance money' to pay for the after school program'."

Parents in School District 69 have been expressing concerns about bus changes taking effect when school starts on Sept. 8, which will mean more than 800 children may no longer be eligible to take the bus.