Abby school looking at ways to reduce deficit, including hiking bus fees

The Abbotsford school board is considering a few different ways to reduce the $5 million deficit it’s facing.

Board chair Cindy Schafer says some of the options on the table are raising international student fees and boosting rental fees for facilities.

The board approved a flat bussing fee of 300 dollars per student or 500 per family.

Previously the district charged 200 per student and 400 per family, with higher rates for students going to choice schools.

It’s hoped these measures could save about $2 million, and the board has the option of dipping into the accumulated surplus to cover the rest.