CENTREVILLE, N.L. – Two school buses rolled to a stop just short of its Centreville Academy destination the morning of Thursday, May 17.
More than 50 parents and students had blocked access to the K-9 school entrance in protest. The protestors held their position until approximately 8:50 a.m., after the RCMP asked them to step aside so the children on the bus could attend school.
Centreville Academy is one of more than 20 schools across the province to see the enforcement of no student pickup within a 1.6 km radius of the school come September. This area is also known as the family responsibility zone.
The parents claim it will affect more than 40 students in Centreville.
In a previous Beacon article, it was stated by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, the decision to enforce the rule is about aligning all schools in the province to offer a service that is fair to all.
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Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Greg Cutler said the issue is too broad for a province-wide rollout.
Unlike larger communities, he said, Centreville doesn’t have the infrastructure in place to provide the walking public with the safest possible route.
“We don’t have sidewalks, crosswalks, wide road shoulders. There’s a lot of wildlife and there’s even been drug paraphernalia found on the sides of the roads. Kids will have to walk to school facing all of this if the decision isn’t reversed,” he said.
“The school district should look at each community case by case. To assess the situation and (and base pickup on) what the students have to face in getting to school.”
The district has noted courtesy seating, for students within the 1.6 km zone, can be applied for. If room is available after eligible students are picked up, students within the family responsibility zone can avail of the empty seats.
However, students are required to be at a designated pickup location outside of the 1.6 km radius.
Cutler sees little consolation in the gesture.
“The students still need to get outside of the 1.6 area, so it doesn’t make much of a difference,” he said.
Centreville-Wareham-Trinity Mayor Sam Gibbons attended the protest on behalf of the town.
He too sees the safety concern, but says the town isn’t in a financial position to place sidewalks throughout the Centreville-Wareham-Trinity.
“A delegation we had met with asked for our support, and whenever a safety issue arises we take it quite seriously,” he said. “Our main concern is the safety of the children, especially in the winter.”
He hopes solution can be worked out to accommodate the students.
A statement from the school district acknowledged the parents right to express their opinion, and, it is “thankful they did so in a relatively peaceful manner.”
But it appears the district remains dedicated to enforcing the family responsibility zone rule.
“We are committed to the safe, efficient and effective transportation of students in line with provincial government policy,” read the statement. “While we have given notice to Centreville Academy, among others, of the intention to ensure the 1.6km policy is being followed for September, 2018, the District does provide access to a courtesy seating protocol which families can avail where space is available.”
