Jasper students will not be bused to Hinton if Grande Yellowhead Public School board trustee Betsy DeClercq gets her way.

Trustee De Clercq told the Fitzhugh busing students to Hinton is the absolute last choice for the school board, who are pushing for a land swap of the Bowling Green for the new school location.

“I’m determined it will not happen,” De Clercq said of the busing question.

Trustee De Clercq has been approached by many parents about the land swap which would trade the Bowling Green/dog park for the current site of the high school, which she believes is the best option for staff and students. The school board has also responded to the municipality’s letter following a board meeting on April 7. Trustee De Clercq did not reveal the contents of the letter.

Jasper is the only community in the school board that doesn’t bus its students. Some students in Edson are bused over an hour to school, Trustee De Clercq said, but she doesn’t want to see that happen in Jasper – even temporarily. If the school board does not get the Bowling Green land and the new school must be built on the site, other solutions would have to be found. Last summer, the school board investigated housing students in the activity centre and other public buildings in town.

In discussions with the minister of education, Jasper has been told they are at the top of the list for a new school, and an announcement could come this year. However Trustee De Clercq said a site must be chosen.

“We just need a location,” she said.

She also said Alberta Infrastructure will pick up the tab for paying for the land transfer – a cost the municipality has repeatedly asked for clarification upon.

“We have told the municipality repeatedly Alberta Infrastructure will pay for the subdivision,” Trustee De Clercq said.

Trustee De Clercq said she’s spoken with Mayor Richard Ireland about the subdivision costs, and told him the province will bear that burden. However mayor Ireland said the town needs that in writing before it can agree to such a plan.

For Trustee De Clercq, the Bowling Green site makes the most sense for the students.

“I love where the school is now, but for the least interruption for the students and the teachers, the Bowling Green is the best option,” Trustee De Clercq said.

She concedes perhaps an updated study of Option C will be required, however easements would be required to make that work.

“We may need an updated look at it. We’ve walked the site. The swing set and the sidewalk would have to be moved. There are still parts on municipal land,” Trustee De Clercq said.

Four years ago, the school board conducted a study of its options in search of a site for the new school. The Bowling Green was the consultant’s top choice, even though the school doesn’t have the leasehold.

She’s unsure why building a new school has become such a divisive issue in Jasper.

“Any other community would welcome this with open arms,” Trustee De Clercq said.

Mayor Ireland said council’s demands aren’t difficult to meet, however written assurances are needed. At press time he had yet to see the letter from the school board.