MOOSE JAW — Trustees with Prairie South School Division have agreed to amend a busing-focused board policy after parents from Sunningdale School raised concerns about changes to the document.
Trustees approved board policy 17 in May, but division administration brought it back for the June meeting to correct geographical errors. Specifically, references to the Prince Arthur catchment area were amended to read northeast instead of northwest.
Sunningdale’s School Community Council (SCC) also spoke during the meeting and expressed concerns about other sections of the policy. After this presentation, the board discussed how to address the criticisms.
Trustee Patrick Boyle introduced an amendment that added two paragraphs to a sub-section about busing students who live near hazardous areas.
The first paragraph added the Sunningdale School catchment area since there is a coulee between the school and the subdivision. The amendment noted that the city does not clear the coulee in the winter and it’s not a suitable road for students to use.
The second paragraph added Ninth Avenue Northwest and Thatcher Drive since this is a high-traffic area and intersection that large vehicles use regularly. This is a hazardous area, the amendment said, which means students from VLA and West Park should be bused to school.
This amendment will make the policy more consistent with how it was for that area 30 years ago, Boyle said. Moreover, it will address safety concerns that he has heard and experienced; the school playground is already fenced because of the danger the nearby coulee presents.
Boyle pointed out that Highway 1 has become a busy route, especially with northwest residents taking Ninth Avenue Northwest to reach Regina for work. He didn’t think the initial board policy contemplated that area becoming that busy.
Trustee Shawn Davidson said the policy raises larger questions about consistency with hazardous routes elsewhere in Moose Jaw. As examples, he pointed to Highway 2 near Cornerstone Christian School, Ninth Avenue Northeast and the Prince Arthur catchment area.
“… we need to have a deeper look at all the schools in Moose Jaw because Sunningdale is just one school of many,” he added.
Trustee Robert Bachmann said this policy has been in place for years, so there was never any intent to offend Sunningdale School. This decision was more about policy implementation and consistency, considering all other schools already have a one-kilometre walking radius.
“Certainly, some of the concerns raised (by the SCC) are very important and need addressing,” he continued, noting the board can only lobby city hall to move the speed signs.
Bachmann pointed out that the crosswalk location north of Thatcher Drive on Ninth Avenue Northwest was not the board’s “first choice or preference.” So, again, the board can only lobby the city to enhance safety for students.
The fact that 37 Sunningdale families may drive their kids to school because of the policy is not something Prairie South can control, although the idea of older and younger children walking together as buddies is a possible solution, he added.
Trustee Brett Hagan said he liked the SCC’s proposal to delay implementing the policy for a year. He also agreed that blowing snow in West Park makes it difficult for children to reach the crosswalk. He added that the board should lobby the city to move the 50 km/h sign on Ninth Avenue Northwest further north to slow traffic sooner.
Trustee Lew Young encouraged his rural colleagues to support the amendment and consider the issues facing Moose Jaw. He pointed out that, as part of the transportation committee, city trustees listen to their concerns about road issues and take their advice on handling them. So, he wanted them to reciprocate.
The board then voted 9-1 to accept the amendment; Bachmann was opposed. The board then voted unanimously to accept the updated board policy.
The next PSSD board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 2.
