Re: “Albertans are well served by two thriving education systems,” Letter, Oct. 31.
The writer states that “having non-punitive educational choices and political choices are essential to a healthy democracy.”
To me, it is punitive. When moving to Alberta, I received a letter from the city asking which school board my taxes would go to.
I phoned to clarify the request and asked, “What happens if most taxpayers choose only one board?”
The answer I got: “Then the extra money is given to the other one.”
I am aware of a small rural town in Alberta, population 2,000, with about 430 students from age four to 19.
More are bused in from the surrounding area – on separate buses.
But it has two school boards. Neither school has enough students to provide a diversified curriculum.
The extra administrative cost to run two separate systems provincewide is tens of millions of dollars.
That is punitive to the taxpayer. Alberta is running a major deficit – let’s put our tax dollars to better use.
Faye Hallett, Red Deer