New Changes to school bus fee's in district 22

There have been new changes to the fee's for eligible riders on school buses in the Vernon School district 22.This covers the communities of Vernon, Coldstream, Lavington, Lumby, and Cherryville, most of which consists of rural households. 2 years ago fee's were instated for ridership of $25.00, on February 17, 2021, a new fee schedule was approved raising the fee of $25 to $200 for eligible riders. This is a 700% increase from the 2020/21 school year to the 2021/22 school year. These fee's are being implemented to expand busing service to students who attend “programs of choice” like Montessori and French immersion, not our eligible riders going to school within their catchment. 

School tax is one of the services you are charged for on your annual property tax notice. The tax isn't based on whether you or your family use the public or private school system. The education system benefits all B.C. residents including people without children in school. You pay school tax to share in the cost of providing education in B.C. Considering we are already contributing to school tax and have a right to access education, this is completely unfair to rural families especially in an economically depressed area, that has been further economically effected during covid times.  

 This is a substantially large cost for families to have to budget for with little notice considering the average family will be sending 3+ children to school at a possible cost of at least $500.00. 

Despite possibly subsidies for this new fee, it is still beyond comprehension that such a substantial increase would be necessary.

Please sign this petition if you are against the increase of 700% on eligible riders in School district 22 that was established on February 17, 2021. 

As a whole we plead with our local MP and our school trustee's that have a mandate for Lumby and the RDNO to review and assist your voters to change this increase and/or eliminate ridership fee's in School district 22.