By Sheldon Spackman

Officials with the Red Deer Public School District and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools are cautiously optimistic about the impacts of Bill 1, an act to reduce school fees for Alberta families.

The Bill has been tabled in the Alberta Legislature and if passed, would no longer require parents to pay school fees for instructional supplies or materials or for eligible students taking the bus to their designated schools. Provincial officials say these two fees cost Alberta families more than $50 million each year and account for approximately 25 per cent of the total fees charged to parents. If proclaimed, Bill 1 will result in amendments to the School Act, as well as the creation of a new school fees regulation before the start of the 2017/18 school year.

In a release, Red Deer Public School Board Chair Bev Manning says “As part of our District’s Equity priority, school fees and fundraising have been one of our areas of focus. It has been a regular concern that we have raised when we’ve met with our MLA’s.” Manning says “We recognize that fees are a challenge for many and in some ways it reduces educational opportunities for students. News that the Notley government is moving forward on this issue is welcomed by the district and our families.”

Manning adds, “Fees for programs, textbooks, student transportation, lunchroom supervision, field trips and optional courses can add up for families. Last year Red Deer Public Schools collected $2.5 million in such fees. While fees may not be eliminated, we appreciate the government is working to reduce fees for families.”

She also points out, “We have been making progress on this but there just has not been the funds available to address this fully. This Board introduced a Fee Waiver Program 15 years ago to assist families facing financial challenges. Over the last nine years, we have waived fees totaling $736,095 for a total of 4947 students and their families. This demonstrates the challenges of school fees.”

Superintendent Stun Henry says “We understand from government that funding for this will be covered through “cost efficiencies” within the department. The government has committed that this initiative will not negatively impact school boards.  While appreciative of the news, we need more information to see if and what the impact will be on the Department and school jurisdictions.”

Provincial officials say further consultation with parents and school boards will occur before the regulation is established, but it will set a clear definition for instructional supplies or materials. Included in this category would be charges for:

• textbooks
• workbooks
• photocopying
• printing or paper supplies

Red Deer Catholic Regional School Board Chair Guy Pelletier says anything to help lower the cost of education for families is always a good thing. However, he says it remains to be seen exactly what impact these new changes would have on their District specifically. Pelletier points out that they are anticipating fee reductions for supplies and transportation for some students. Those taking the bus to school 2.4 kilometres or less, may see a reduction in their bussing fees for example. Whether a child is on a sports team or taking certain courses could also affect how much they pay in fees as well Pelletier says.

Education Minister David Eggen has said any new school fees being considered would now have to be cleared with Alberta Education. This Pelletier says is a bit of a concern at this time but he’s hoping it won’t be. None the less, Pelletier points out there won’t be any change in programs or their delivery with these potential changes.