The Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board trustees of the Planning and Finance Committee received a report from Senior Staff on February 13, providing an update on an exercise in progress to review bussing and see where the board can cut costs.

Of the proposed $695,726 cuts across the board, Prince Edward County represents 41 per cent with the biggest cuts across the board. Potential cuts are as follows: • Remove elementary courtesy riders that are within walking distance of PECI and the option to attend PECI from the north area of PEC (note: PECI is already at 99 per cent capacity) • 602 route reduction • 658 route reduction The board is also looking at changes to school start times.

You can find the full report at hpedsb.on.ca/Board/2022-2023 Board and Committee Meetings Physical Planning , Finance and Building Committee > February 13, 2023 agenda

If you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to the County trustees who can ask the hard questions and advocate for county students, and who can reject the budget when it comes to board for approval. -Stacey Lewis – [email protected] (Athol and PECI) -Rachael Prinzen – [email protected] (PECI, CML, Kente, Mass-Red, Sophiasburgh)

Additional advocacy to Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith is also encouraged, as funding for transportations from the Ministry continues to be inequitable to the students in HPEDSB, and was one reason four of nine trustees rejected the 2022-2023 budget.

Alison Kelly

Athol