The Delta School District is eligible to receive over $40,000 in transportation funding from the provincial government.
Minister of Education Mike Bernier announced the new $14.7 million school transportation fund on Aug. 10. Districts may only use the money for transportation services and are required to report back on the outcomes and the benefits they achieved as a result of the funding.
Delta is eligible to receive up to $41,993.
In a statement released to media, Delta Board of Education Chair Laura Dixon said the funds would “be targeted to help us continue to provide accessible transportation services for students with special needs,” adding that the fund would help ease some of the strain on school districts and parents caused by increasing education costs.
Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton encouraged the district to apply for the funding.
“Time spent commuting to and from school is time away from family and extracurricular activities,” Hamilton said via press release. “This important investment will go toward improving our school district’s transportation system, meaning safer, easier to access and possibly shorter bus rides for our children.”
In order to receive the funds, districts must submit a plan to the Ministry of Education by Sept. 30 outlining how they will use the money to boost transportation services for students and families. Districts will be told shortly thereafter how much funding they will actually receive.