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YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT! WWW.DELTA-OPTIMIST.COM The Voice of Delta since 1922 FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2013
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Paving crews were out again this week as the South Fraser Perimeter Road gets closer to completion. The four-lane, 40-kilometre highway, which stretches from Deltaport Way to 176th Street in Surrey, is scheduled to open this December.
Board chops rural bus service
School trustees say they had little choice after having provincial transportation funding almost cut in half
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The Delta school board approved a series of budget cuts Tuesday, including elimination of the bussing program for most students. “I want people to know that we have struggled with it, looked at how we can change it, what can we do with it, how we can manage it,” said trustee Simon Truelove. “The fact of the matter is that our transportation budget was cut and the money comes from the provincial government, and we were given 47 per cent less.” The operating budget included $1.9 million in cuts, the most contentious being the reduction in the bussing program. To make up for a phased $728,000 transportation funding
shortfall, the district week’s budget consulwill eliminate bus tation meeting made service in rural areas, their feelings known although it will be about the issue, many maintained for special concerned about the needs students. safety of their kids The message delivhaving to walk or bike ered by trustee Nick to school. They said Kanakos Tuesday was transit is not an option that the board had little in some areas. Laura Dixon choice but to eliminate Some parents asked Board chair the service, otherwise why their ideas at cuts would have taken meetings organized by place in the classroom. the district earlier this year were Chairperson Laura Dixon noted not posted or seriously considthe district could revisit the issue ered. if the province decides to restore The district subsequently issued some funding. a follow-up sheet responding to Trustee Val Windsor said Delta the questions and suggestions. continues to have a hard time con- The document notes the board vincing Victoria that funding isn’t has been advocating for increased keeping up with the true costs of funding from the Ministry of education. See BUDGET page 3 Parents who attended last
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SANDOR GYARMATI
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Teachers, including Delta Teachers’ Association president Paul Steer (left), and parents came out Tuesday night to voice their opposition to budget cuts being made by the Delta school board. Trustees softened the blow in some areas, but moved ahead with the elimination of rural bus service.
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