LDSCB hits the brakes on specialty program transportation

Exterior of London District Catholic School Board (Source: LDCSB)

The London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) is making major cuts in an effort to balance its budget, and students in specialty programs could soon be left without a ride to school.

Trustees have voted 5-3 to discontinue transportation for several unfunded programs, citing a multi-million dollar shortfall.

The move would discontinue all transportation services for non-funded specialty programs and would affects busing for the Choir and Orchestra Program at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Catholic Central Secondary School (CCH) and the Music Extension Program at CCH.

Trustees heard two public delegations before the vote. Yolanda Bernat, current chair of the St. Mary’s Choir and Orchestra parent council and a graduate, emphasized the importance of transportation access.

“Busing ensured that students’ ability to participate was determined by interest and talent, not family resources and geography,” Bernat said. She cited an impact study estimating a 40 per cent withdrawal rate if busing is cancelled, warning of “catastrophic consequences that would severely compromise the integrity of the program.”

Another delegation came from Mrs. McKeever, who spoke on behalf of Sacred Heart, urging trustees to ensure equitable funding across schools and to end transportation funding for specialty programs.

“For transportation alone, these costs are unsustainable and divert scarce resources away from local schools,” McKeever said. “The result is a direct impact on mainstream education, where students are left without basic resources or access to learning opportunities, in addition to extracurricular programs.”

An amendment to use reserve funds to maintain transportation was introduced by Ward 2, 3 and 4 trustee Sandra Cruz. “Having no busing will have devastating effects on the music program, with the possibility of a mass exit of students either early next year or failing to return in September,” Cruz said.

The amendment was supported by trustees Bill Hall and John Jevnikar, but it was defeated 5–3. None of the three specialty programs receive transportation funding from the Ministry of Education, a factor some trustees said influenced their decision.

Trustee Linda Steele said using reserve funds would be “reckless.”

“I cannot in good conscience support unfunded transportation to unfunded programs,” Steele said. “That $2 million is coming out of regular schools and regular classrooms, at the expense of our most vulnerable children.”

In an effort to reverse the decision, students launched an online petition that has gathered more than 1,500 signatures.

The transportation changes are set to take effect in September 2026.