If Pembina Hills Public Schools (PHPS) wants to boost enrolment at its community schools, refusing to transport students across attendance-area boundaries on transfer buses seems the wrong way to go about doing it.
In Alberta parents can send their children to any school they wish, so the onus should be on the schools to attract parents rather than to handcuff them.
Last week, PHPS held meetings in Westlock and Barrhead to present a proposal that would restrict kids moving to schools outside their respective attendance areas on transfer buses. Parents would still be free to send them to school outside those boundaries, but without a bus it would be difficult, if not impossible.
The debate isn’t new. We’ve heard this almost every time the division considers shutting down a community school … “Why are we letting students go to another school if enrolment is such a problem?”
PHPS can’t refuse a student from attending a school of choice, but they can restrict them from riding a bus — it’s about the only power the school board has in this situation.
From what we’ve heard, many parents who send their kids to a different school do so because of work issues, or to take advantage of after-school care programs.
For instance, families that live outside of town, but both parents work in Westlock, might want their kids to attend school in town out of convenience. If there’s an emergency, or if their child is sick, they’re already close by.
And even if the division moves forward with the proposal, it’s not likely going to change parents’ minds — many have suggested these proposed changes only punish working parents and doesn’t solve declining enrolment issues.
Ultimately if the division wants to fix enrolment issues, affected schools should cater to parents who bus their kids away. If an after-school program is needed, then why not start one?.
These transfer buses are running anyways, so why refuse access? PHPS can charge them for the privilege if they must, but taking away transportation won’t solve the enrolment issue.
