Prince George, B.C. – In a bid to cut travel costs, the Prince George School Board has passed a motion allowing for the billeting of secondary teams in district schools.

The billeting will take place on a pilot basis from September 2016 to June 2017 and will be allowed at the following locations: John McInnes Centre, Mackenzie Secondary, McBride Secondary, and Valemount Secondary schools.

According to a staff report it will reduce travel costs for rural teams in the district and encourage Prince George based teams to travel more frequently to rural communities in the district.

Under the terms of the pilot project, students will use the gymnasiums for sleeping purposes and will have access to washrooms.

The billeting will take place under the supervision of “a competent and trustworthy coach and/or school district employee” who will be responsible for students at all times.

It will also require the development of fire safety and emergency plans for the pilot schools.

Education Services Committee chair Sharel Warrington said district teams already billet in non-school district schools both inside and outside the district.

“I’m highly in favour of this motion,” said Trustee Bruce Wiebe at tonight’s Board meeting. “I think it benefits rural schools and provides them with the choice they haven’t had in the past.”

The motion addresses one of 14 recommendations made by the district’s Ad Hoc Committee on Rural Education.