Driver dispute could leave students at 2 Ontario school boards without transport [Video]

Students at two rural school boards near Ottawa could be without transportation when classes begin next week as an impasse with bus drivers threatens to disrupt back-to-school planning.

The Renfrew County District School Board and its Catholic counterpart have been locked in unsuccessful talks with school bus companies.

“This means there is the possibility of a service disruption in September,” the two boards wrote in their statement.

“We realize this may bring stress to what should be a positive last month before the start of another year of learning.”

The boards have said the sticking point is an attempt to renew old contracts with school bus companies without having the financial means to offer much more money. A joint statement from the two boards said they were trying to table a reasonable offer “without draining dollars” from the school budget.

Ontario NDP education critic Chandra Pasma said the issue stems …