Rocky View Schools (RVS) will waive instructional resource and transportation fees for families that are struggling financially, according to RVS Associate Superintendent of Business and Operations Darrell Couture.
“The process is as efficient and non-evasive as possible,” Couture said during the RVS board of trustees meeting held Oct. 1.
According to Couture, if a parent receives a GST credit, they are eligible for the waiver. Around 600 families in RVS qualify for the fee waiver each year.
“There’s no question that families earning slightly more than the GST credit qualification, that they (could) also have trouble as well, but we have to draw the line somewhere,” Couture said.
Some families could also see their fees waived in “extraordinary circumstances” — such as a long-term medical issue. Couture noted that a temporary loss of employment would not be deemed a special circumstance.
Parents looking to have fees waived due to special circumstances can speak with their school’s principal, who would then advocate the case on their behalf.
Trustee Sylvia Eggerer requested the process for those circumstances be “formalized a little bit more.”
“Some people are not open and free with some of their information that might cause a problem. So when they go speak to school administrators, that does not necessarily mean it is going forward to the area director,” she said. “I don’t know how to do that, but I would like that.”
“Good suggestion,” Couture said. “We’ll take a note of that and develop some criteria.”
The deadline to apply for waived school fees is June 30, 2016. If parents have already paid school fees and are granted the waiver, those fees will be refunded.
To access the waiver form, visit rockyview.ab.ca/registration/schoolfees
Board election
RVS will retain its chair and vice-chair for the 2015/16 school year, as decided by unanimous votes on Oct. 1.
“I just want to publicly say thank you to my colleagues,” said Colleen Munro, who will continue serving as board chair with RVS. “I hope that we can all work together over the next year to do all of the things we are working on.
“Thank you for your confidence.”
Trustee Todd Brand will retain his position as vice-chair with RVS.
