SASK. PARTY CUTS TO EDUCATION HITTING PARENTS IN THE POCKETBOOK

For immediate release: May 23, 2025

Prairie Spirit School Division Forced to Charge Parents $250 Per Student for Bussing

SASKATOON — Starting this fall, families in Warman and Martensville will have to pay out of pocket to get their teenagers to high school, after years of Sask. Party cuts to per-student funding.

In a public statement, Prairie Spirit School Division says that on account of “limited resources” it can no longer cover transportation costs for high school students.

Under the new policy, high school students who live within 1.5 kilometers of their school will no longer qualify for bus service. Those living farther away will be charged $250 per student, per year.

“Bussing is an essential service for working families, especially in bedroom communities like Warman and Martensville,” said Matt Love, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Education.

“For many parents, it's the only way their kids can get to school safely. Forcing them to find an extra $250 per child — all because the Sask. Party is nickel and diming school divisions – is completely unreasonable.”

The announcement follows on news that Regina Public Schools may have to cut several band instructors in the division, saying in a letter obtained by the Leader Post that “due to the budget shortfall for the upcoming school year, the number of band teachers on the elementary team will be reduced.”

“School divisions have been forced to cut to the bone, and now parents are paying the price,” said Love. “Public education is not a luxury — it’s a right. But under the Sask. Party, we’re paying more and have still fallen near the bottom of national rankings in education.

“Saskatchewan students deserve better. They are our future and they deserve a government that properly funds public education and gives them every chance to succeed.”

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