School district considers yet more changes to bus routes By JENNIFER LANG SCHOOLS ARE being asked to consider shorter break times as part of the district’s efforts to im- prove school bus service. The school district is also look- ing at adding more busses, board chair Peter King said last week, “Everything is being looked at to try to get the bussing in the dis- trict working well,” King said. Sweeping route changes and a reduction in the number of school buses resulted in chaos last month as students returned to classes, “On paper, it looked like it would work, but in practice it didn’t,” King said. The school day is about an hour longer this year because of the new, four-day week. The only way to reduce the length of the school day would be to make recess or lunch breaks shorter. It's just one option trustees may consider as they discuss ways to improve the bus system. While many blamed the new four-day school week for delays, King said the real culprit is finan- cial constraints. King said the district is under pressure to reduce its transporta- tion costs. “We were trying to make sav- ings in bussing routes,” King said. Student arrested in drug- free zone By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN A 19-YEAR-OLD Caledo- nia Senior Secondary School student has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested for al- legedly selling marijuana in the drug-free zone sur- rounding the local high school, The man, who can’t be named because charges haven’t been approved yet, was arrested Sept. 25 near the school for possession of marijuana for the pur- pose of trafficking. “We don’t tolerate drug dealers in the area of our schools — we are going to pursue this to the fullest degree,” says RCMP Staff Set. Jas Basi. Several students, tea- chers and parents made complaints about the young man selling drugs to students, says the school’s vice-principal Cam Mac- Kay. Police seized 17 mari- juana joints, some cash and a record of recent - sales from the man, police say. If charges are approved Crown prosecutors have the option of telling the court about any aggrava- ting factors involved in the offence, including its prox- imity to an area frequented by minors. Rescue attempt ‘heroic’ TERRACE RCMP are commending passing mot- orists for mounting heroic efforts to rescue a Prince Rupert girl trapped in an overturned car in the Skeena River last month. The girl and her 51- year-old father, both Prince Rupert, residents, were invalved in a single vehicle accident 62 km west of Terrace on High- way 16 Sept. 20. The driver managed to escape from the vehicle with the help of passersby, police said, but despite their efforts they were un- able to rescue the young girl, Francis Loeppky. Loeppky was trapped in the vehicle, beneath more than 12 feet of water, for an hour and 20 minutes, police said. She was pro- nounced dead at hospital after being freed by Ter--- race Waler Rescue line up for the after school bus. The district has also investiga- ted complaints of overcrowding. “All the busses. were not only legal, but they were below the legal limit,” Kind said. Just one report of an overcrow- ded bus is confirmed. It involved a bus leaving Kitamaat Village and some extra passengers who were not eligible for a ride. The driver did not allow the passengers to board, King said. He expects the board will re- ceive a current passenger count al tonight’s meeting. : “Things are improving,” he said, “What happens is these sort of changes. can’t happen fast enough,” Thornhill trustee Lorrie Gowen ’ said some school districts in urban centres are cutling school buses altogether, “Previously, we could have run be spent in the classroom. - Usk parent Cathy Green was busses with 10 students and the Dozens of frustrated parents told to expect improvements in government would have paid that. packed the September school school bus service to go into ef- Now we have to find all of that board meeting demanding impro- fect Monday. , -Her children, including her six- year-old daughter, were getting “We were trying to make savings in bussing _ picked up at 7:36 a.m. and arriv- YOU MAY be seeing more of these back on the road before: and after school. routes.” ing home nearly nine hours later, at 4-40 p.m, or even later. money out of our own budget.” vements to school bus service. Now Usk students will be col- King said eliminating one bus Many of the complaints in- lected at 8:02 a.m., returning can save the district about volved the length of time some home at 3:57 p.m., a welcome im- $50,000 — money that can instead children were made to wait the provement, Green said, eWashers&Dryers| Tiamat to a ae Rh pe Fridges Stoves | {Meee Northern Motor Inn & Re/Max for TV's, Vacuums & ass. thelr valued support of the Skeena Electronics vi. Valley fall Fat, Thank you again, pet “help to solve a break and enter toa ~ On August 27th, 2003, a resident of the 4600 block of. Greig Avenue discovered a ‘television. missing from_her home: Entry. - Was gained. via an: unlocked. window on: “the main floor..A black 27" Sears brand: : television: was. stolen. | Terrace ‘Crimestoppers, “Wants your. information, - a “your name... /Any: _information is valuable and-may lead to. thea arrest and conviction of the offenders. : :] $1,000.00 for information leading to an arrast and/or con: | wictlon. if you have any Information call “Crime Stoppers” ||) at 635-TIPS that’s 635-3477. Callers will NEVER ba :| required to reveal thelr name or testify In court. Crime [Stoppers does NOT subscribe to call display. The Terrace Standard Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - B3 -Terrace Crimestoppers are asking for. e. residence. Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to Call Ei Commercial © Liability » Jet Boats Ces Mobile Homes @ Travel Roy