By Lillian Orban, special to the News
The ongoing high school accommodation review will ultimately result in the closure of a number of secondary schools and the building of new 21st-century facilities. The delivery of programs will be reviewed. The impact of transportation to chosen destinations must be considered.
Currently, under the transportation policy, the transportation consortium operates on the eligibility services model delivering close to 28,000 students to specific destinations at no cost to families — the criterion being specific mileage to and from school.
Under ministry regulations, secondary school students have the right to attend any high school in the district. The manipulation of school boundaries are used by the board to address enrolment and catchment needs of schools. But with continued pressure from the Meadowlands community, the board changed the existing catchment boundary that resulted in free transportation under the transportation policy for the Meadowlands students to their chosen destination. The not-so-privileged, financially disadvantaged families have yet to be accommodated similarly — equity matters!
Accessibility to programs of choice and specialist high skills majors offered in specifically designated schools is a transportation issue for many students interested in accessing these programs outside their catchment areas. Motivated students stay in school, enjoy their learning and do well as contributing citizens in society. More importantly, education is the means out of poverty.
The cost of $71 for one student bus pass per month is a hardship for disadvantaged and needy families. Although the board provides financial assistance through bursaries, some parents find that disclosure of private and confidential information is intrusive. At a South ARC meeting, superintendent Peter Joshua said the board is looking at accessibility to programs for all students. Great — transportation will make it a reality!
Already the HSR provides busing for secondary students at peak load riderships to and from designated schools in order that the regular public ridership be sustained. Once the students exit the HSR buses on arterial routes, they walk to their designated schools or to their homes. Exercise also matters!
Timing is crucial as transit infrastructures are citywide issues across the province. Then there is a need to explore further efficiencies, effectiveness and safe delivery of students through greater collaboration by inviting city partners, councillors to participate in a feasibility study for a student transportation infrastructure toward a student transit system.
For me, free student day bus passes with photo ID at age 14 through the secondary school years would include and not discriminate against disadvantaged and needy families. Once again, the HWDSB could show leadership in what public education is all about. Achievement matters, engagement matters, equity matters — transportation is the enabler.
Hamilton will then be the best place to education a child.
Lillian Orban is the public school trustee for Ward 7 (central Mountain). Columns from school board trustees representing the Mountain’s three wards appear monthly on a rotating basis.
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