LCSD survey asks for feedback on how buses run in extreme cold

Parents, students, and those involved with Lakeland Catholic can have their say about whether their bus policy when the temperatures get their coldest is sufficient.

LCSD has launched an online survey about their Transportation Inclement Weather Policy, which will run for the next three weeks until May 16. 

The main question is: are you satisfied with Lakeland Catholic’s current Transportation Inclement Weather Policy? Depending on the response, there may be follow-up questions, asking on a scale of 1-5 their satisfaction level with aspects of the current policy.

Currently, Lakeland Catholic measures the temperature at 6:00 A.M. at three locations, 4 Wing for the Lakeland area, Lac La Biche Airport for the area around the hamlet, and at Smoky Lake for the Waskatenau area.

If the wind chill is or falls below -45 degrees or whether the outside air temperature is equivalent to or exceeds -40 degrees, then school buses will not operate.

Also, bus routes assigned as special needs routes with wheelchair capabilities currently will not operate with a wind chill or an outside air temperature that is equivalent to or exceeds -35 degrees Celsius.

At this time, school bus routes within the division will not necessarily be cancelled simultaneously.

Changes may be considered for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.

The survey is available on the school division’s website here.