Transportation Policy Changes

Wow! Report 08029 – Transportation Policy Changes will come to the board table this coming Wednesday, February 20 for our consideration. Here’s the recommendation from staff:

Be it resolved that for the 2008/2009 school year:

• Walk distances for Grades 6 though 8 students be reduced from 3.2 km to 1.6 km;
• All students and parents of students eligible for transportation be required to sign an agreement indicating they accept their responsibilities with respect to transportation;
• A comprehensive review of bus loading and student carry-on requirements be completed;
• Board staff will work closely with all municipal traffic departments to ensure crossing guards are placed in locations to maximize safety of walkers;
• $1,000 be provided to every school to develop and communicate safe walking routes and promote “walking busses”;
• The “bell times” for Halton District School Board schools be modified to include morning start times as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 9:45 a.m.; and
• The municipal transit partnerships be reviewed with a goal of maximizing the use of public transit for all Halton District School Board eligible secondary students.

If you are interested in this policy, please take a few minutes to read the report. The current policy (which will change at the start of the 2008 school year) can be read at http://hdsb.ca/temp/Transportation.pdf. I will add my comments between now and Wednesday; I would really appreciate hearing yours by then too.

Thanks!