I was fairly appalled at the lack of sensitivity in the Nov. 7 editorial “Defying tradition: School bus rides: Do they really have to be granted to so many students?” Yes, a small extension in walking boundaries is worth exploring, but I disagree that getting kids to school is simply a parenting issue.
Are you aware that there are families where both parents still work? Families with single parents who work? Families with one car that is needed for work? Families without cars? Families without money for gas? Families that are already struggling with the expenses that come with attending school? Suburban and rural living are a fact of life and bus service is not good.
As a former educator, I know that it is difficult to educate kids if they don’t show up. Let’s not make that a more difficult problem than it already is.
Diana Stack Roberts
Vancouver
