Calgary's public school board has backed away from charging students in alternative programs extra for busing.

A proposal earlier this spring would have seen kids in alternative programs pay twice as much as those in neighbourhood schools.

But now, Superintendent Naomi Johnson said all students will pay the same fee of $295 a year.

However that means students in regular school programs will have to pay more. Under the old proposed schedule, they would have paid $215.

Johnson expects to hear from parents of kids in the regular program.

"I think though, every time we have to take it back to the values conversation, because every one of the programs, every one of the students belongs within our public education system."

Parents of kindergarten students will have a one year amnesty. They will pay $215 next year, and the $295 fee after that.

The CBE says it arrived at the figure by dividing the number of students bused — into transportation costs not covered by the province.