Swift Current parents reject new plan

Eastern School District trustees got another earful from parents and students at Swift Current Academy last night.

Three weeks ago the board reversed a decision to close the school entirely, but the new plan still involves busing grade 10-12 students to a high school in Clarenville.

The major issue for dissenting parents is the potential safety risks of having teenagers spend approximately 2 hours a day in a bus, in all kinds of weather.

"Isn't the safety of our 15 and 16 year-olds just as important as our 5 and 6 year-olds?" asked one parent during the meeting.

Former student and teacher Paulette Shea says she knows the effects of such a long, daily commute first-hand.

"For a part of my grade 10 year of high school I was bused," Shea said. "I was physically sick from the ride every day and I seriously considered quitting school."

Student Evan Stacey said he's concerned with how the busing could affect his grades.

He also worries the distance would exclude him from many extracurricular activities.

"Will I be able to join sports teams as I would be able to do in Swift Current Academy? Would I be able to attend dances? My parents are not able to provide transportation that would be required for such activities."

The fate of the high school students now rests in the hands of the school board's trustees, who will make a final decision on December 13.