Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) is hoping for good news from the 2026 provincial budget as parents raise concerns about proposed student transportation fees set to kick in next school year.
In January, the WRSD board of trustees passed a motion to introduce transportation fees of up to $300 per eligible student and $600 per additional-circumstance student to help address an anticipated $1-million budget deficit.
Division officials have said that without the additional revenue, transportation costs would have to be covered by the instructional budget.
Drayton Valley-area parent Dan Burch said he was frustrated when he learned about the proposed fees.
“As a taxpayer, it’s aggravating,” he said. “I was very quickly frustrated with the school board. It seemed to me at first glance it was an easy way out for them — we can’t balance the books, so we’ll charge the public for it.”
Burch appeared before the WRSD board at its Feb. 17 regular meeting to voice his concerns. He described the discussion as positive and said he gained a better understanding of the division’s challenges, including maintaining its bus fleet and lobbying the Alberta government for additional funding.
While not completely opposed to the private system, Burch questioned the optics surrounding provincial funding for private schools.
He said if rural public school divisions such as WRSD have done their due diligence to find efficiencies, more funding should be available — particularly if public dollars continue to support private schools, which he said “99 per cent” of rural children cannot attend.
With many families already facing tight budgets, Burch said additional fees could have impacts on children.
“Fees like this might push people over budget,” he said, questioning whether the $300 fee could mean a child misses out on extracurricular activities such as dance, hockey or ringette.
He also said the fees could push more families toward homeschooling, which could further strain the division’s finances because funding is allocated on a per-student basis.
Burch said he has discussed the issue with Drayton Valley-Devon MLA Andrew Boitchenko and Brazeau County Reeve Bart Guyon.
WRSD statement Dan Burch speaking about his concerns that WRSD transportation fees could push more families toward homeschooling
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Withrow-area parent Jessica Crane echoed similar concerns.
Crane acknowledged the high cost of fuel and bus maintenance but said she believes those expenses should be covered by the province.
“If education is required by the government, then the government should be prepared to cover the costs to make that happen, including transportation,” she said.
Division awaiting provincial budget
Superintendent Jodie Mattia said the board has heard concerns from families and noted the situation could change depending on the province’s Feb. 26 budget announcement.
If funding is provided to offset transportation costs, the fees would not be levied, she said.
Mattia added that MLAs Jason Nixon and Andrew Boitchenko are aware of concerns about the proposed fees.
She said the fees would be “up to” $300 per student and that measures to support families will be announced in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, she says a Frequently Asked Questions page has been added to the Division’s website, and the board is working on multiple scenarios to support parents.
WRSD’s next board meeting is set for March 17.
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