Busing students to specialty programs worth it, school board says

Staff with the Rainbow District School Board say a consultant has run the numbers, and busing students around the city of Sudbury to specialty programs is a good investment.

The board is reviewing its four magnet programs.

The programs are located at different high schools and each offers a specialization in science, arts, technology or the International Baccalaureate Program.

The board pays for bus transportation for all students in the program.

Board superintendent Lesleigh Dye said the magnet programs increase enrolment, and the extra funding that brings the board more than pays for busing.

When you do the calculations, that in each school year as a result of our magnet programs, we have a net surplus of $1,207,000, she said.

The busing cost is far less than the revenue that Rainbow generates from bringing students in from out of board, specifically for the magnet program.

Staff are recommending the board keep the magnet programs, and continue to offer bus transportation.

Trustees will vote on the issue this spring.