Parents of students with special needs upset over SCDSB bus changes
Parents of students with special needs are speaking out about a decision by the Simcoe County District School Board to change transportation options starting Monday.
Brendan Drodge and Jason Ladouceur have children with special needs without a ride to school.
"In my mind, they're looking to save a buck off the backs of disabled kids who rely on these vans to get to school," Drodge said.
"All the teachers and the support staff have been amazing. It's 100 per cent on the school board," Ladouceur said.
Now, several families are fighting to stop their kids' school transportation vans from being cancelled by the school board. The call that was made before the Christmas break comes into effect Monday.
"Very short notice. Two months into the school year. It seemed very odd for timing," Ladouceur said.
The board said the decision is part of an annual transportation review for students within walking zones of schools – 1.6 kilometres for elementary students and double that for high school students.
"The conditions for special needs transport haven't changed, so the only thing that I can think of that has changed is money," Drodge said.
Jodi Lloyd, SCDSB chairperson, said special accommodations could be made in some cases.
"If we have special education students who require specialized transportation, we will most certainly provide that for those students," Lloyd said.
While the school board acknowledges it has a $2 million transportation deficit, it said money isn't the motivator in this decision.
Lloyd said the cancellation of these bus routes is part of a review of all bus routes following its transportation policies and protocols for students within walking distance zones.
"Our goal and objective for all of our students, especially our special education students are to create independence and self-sufficiency so that when they leave the board, they can operate and be self-sufficient within their community," Lloyd said.
Drodge said for children like his 11-year-old boy Wyatt – taking the big yellow bus isn't going to work.
"It's going to mean that he can't go to school. Plain and simple," Drodge said.
Many of the families CTV News spoke to Friday said they're left with very few options going forward to get their children to school.
Meanwhile, the school board said it is not mandatory to provide transportation to all its students.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.