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
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.