At their August 7, 2020 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved changes to the 2020/21 Town of St. Paul busing fees. The changes are in response to on-going challenges in the transportation budget. The Division does not take fee increases lightly, however, felt it was necessary in order to maintain this service.
Before 2017, all students in the Town of St. Paul were charged a standard busing fee regardless of how far away they live from their school. After 2017, the rules were changed and students residing over 2.4 km from their designated school could not be charged a fee. As part of the change in regulations, the provincial government also provided fee offset funding to make-up the difference.
The regulations have been changed once again for the 2020/21 year, allowing school divisions to charge a fee to students who live 2.4 km or more from their designated school. The associated fee offset grant has also been eliminated. Given these changes, starting in 2020/21, all students who sign up for St. Paul in-town busing will once again be charged a standard fee.
Town of St. Paul bus fees will be as follows:
$250/student or $600/family
This is an increase from $147/student or $357/family
Please be aware that the actual cost to operate a town of St. Paul bus is $500 per student per year
Some busing practice changes will also be implemented in order to respond to challenges related to COVID-19. In an effort to reduce crowding and support physical distancing, Town of St. Paul buses will now be limited to 80% of their registered capacity and students will no longer be issued a second bus pass for alternate drop-offs. These changes will reduce both the number of riders (to support physical distancing) and the number of different contacts a student has on the bus. Special considerations for a second bus pass may be provided on a case by case basis. Contact the Transportation department.
Bus passes will be going on sale Monday, August 17, 2020 on a “first come, first served basis”. Additional details on the bus pass purchase process are posted on the St. Paul Education website Transportation page.
Please be notified that the St. Paul Education Office will be practicing strict physical distancing guidelines including:
Masks will be mandatory (as per AHS guidelines for masks in schools)
All visitors will be required to confirm they have none of the symptoms listed on the Self-Screening Questionnaire (will be posted outside our main door)
All visitors are required to fill out the COVID 19 Visitor Log at the front desk when they arrive
The number of visitors admitted at any one time will be limited, so lining up outside may be necessary.
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