Special education programs at the Greater Essex County District School Board are on the chopping block again as the board considers a financial recovery plan.
Last year, the board approved its budget with an in-year deficit of $6,379,834, which is not allowed under the Education Act. Due to the deficit, the board must submit a financial recovery plan to the Ministry of Education.
Part of the recovery plan includes restructuring the Reaching Individual Success and Excellence or RISE program. This would result in many special education students being reintegrated into the classroom and the reduction of 34.5 positions in the board.
"In order to save money more and more is being downloaded into homeroom classes without the proper support. Inclusion without the support is abandonment of these students with special needs," said Mario Spagnuolo, local president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.
He's calling on trustees to reject the financial recovery plan as presented.
"Our message to trustees is defy the government, tell them that you will not be a puppet to this government and Queen's Park and if they believe they can find efficiencies they should come down to Windsor and try to find them themselves," said Spagnuolo.
In addition to reducing staff in the RISE program, the financial recovery plan recommends eliminating two social worker positions and five speech-language pathologist positions. The plan also recommends phasing out the International Baccalaureate program.
The plan will be discussed at Tuesday's board meeting.