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School board concerned about Kwuna schedule

The school district has written to BC Ferries expressing concerns about the new Kwuna schedule, which takes effect April 28.The letter, written by Supertintendent of Schools Angus Wilson and dated March 31, tells Peter Simpson of BC Ferries that the schedule change would have been much better had it been delayed until after the school year."Â…Our entire south end schedule is being altered - including shortening lunch break at Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary- to accommodate this," Mr. Wilson said, "there are potential costs to this change both financial and educational for the school district.He also says the impact of the change is huge, for both, the school district and the islands."To shift this so suddenly is difficult for the School District and potentially catastrophic for the people of Haida Gwaii. To expand, changing our bus schedule mid-year is difficult; impacting this summer tourism season may close down businesses, sending more people off island for work, which in turn creates a economic 'death spiral' which we may not recover from. For the District, declining enrolment means further difficulties for us in planning for our future," Mr. Wilson said.He also noted that there was insufficient consultation on the change, for despite having attended several meetings over the last couple of years, "not once has anyone from the Ferry Corporation or the Ministry of Transportation contacted me directly to discuss the pitfalls and potential solutions to the challenges of the reduced sailings."A copy of the letter went to Transportation Minister Todd Stone, who has been notably absent in consultation on the issue.