Guelph-Eramosa council needed little time to approve an expenditure of $15,000 to ensure children in Rockwood have a safe way of reaching school.
Chief Administrative Officer Janice Sheppard presented council with a report on April 4 explaining the third year of a three-year agreement with the Upper Grand District School Board needs approval. She explained the Ministry of Transportation plans to reconstruct Highway 7 this summer, and the township has negotiated continuous sidewalks along that road.
She said the Upper Grand District School Board has requested the township again consider paying a share of the school bus costs for young children who use that route.
Sheppard explained the township has included the money in its 2011 draft budget, to be taken from the Rockwood Hydro Fund for this year.
Mayor Chris White explained why the township pays for the bus. He said at one time, the school board had rules that children in kindergarten to grade 1 living within 1.6km of a school had to walk. Those from grade 3 to 6 living within 2.4km also had to walk.
But, White said, that walk was unsafe because MTO plows tossed highway snow onto the sidewalks – where there were sidewalks. He said the walk for young children was “extremely dangerous.”
But when the township approached the board about bussing kids in southern Rockwood to Rockwood Centennial Public School, the board noted sidewalks are a municipal responsibility and school buses are a courtesy – the board does not legally have to supply buses to any students.
White said the board agreed if the township would help with the costs, the board would provide a bus. That board vote was not unanimous. The board’s cost is $35,000.
White said the township will fund a bus during the coming construction, but it then wants that area declared “a danger route.” He said there will be more kids walking that route, and they will need a school bus.
Councillor Doug Breen said forcing grade 3 children to walk that route in winter is “ridiculous” and for kindergarten to grade one it is “beyond stupid.” Breen added, “This very same board is busing kids around woodlots in Guelph because there was a flasher there five years ago. We should haul all those guys out here [to] walk that road.”
Council unanimously approved the $15,000 payment.
