Alternative Program Participants Protest

A few weeks ago, parents of kids in the CBE were asked to fill out a questionnaire about school fees to give the CBE an idea of how we felt and what would be fair.

One of the questions pertained to bus fees for students in alternative programs. Another asked about lunch fees for kids who can walk to school and those who are forced to take the bus.  Presumably the answers to these questions helped inform the decisions that were made by the CBE about the fees.  The new structure has raised the ire of some parents who will be paying almost double the cost for a bus ride and lunch supervision:

"Under the new model, fees are scheduled to jump to $430 next school year for students bused to alternative programs. Those in regular programs will pay just $215, but all bused students will now be charged an additional lunch supervision fee." - source.

Naomi Johnson, Chief Superintendent at the CBE has heard the complaints and is holding 5 more community input meetings to address all concerns. The dates: May 14, May 22, May 23, May 28, and May 31.  All meeting details here.  

What do you think?  Should families who opt for alternative programs (like Montessori, an all girls school, or the science school at Langevin for example) get subsidized busing so their kids can take advantage of a program offered outside of their jurisdiction? Or should they foot the bill for the choice they make?