An advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families says students' education will be shortchanged and their future prospects limited if School District 43 eliminates the position of director of student services and cuts teaching and support staff to get rid of its $12.1-million deficit next year.
"We are concerned that the proposed reductions to teaching and support staff will make it extremely difficult for the board to fulfill its obligation to provide appropriate educational programs to all children," Rachel le Nobel told the board of education at an SD43 board of education meeting Tuesday.
According to le Nobel, education for students with developmental delays and disabilities has come a long way since they were shunted off to segregated schools. But many are still sequestered in separate programs and their dreams of participating fully at school and getting a job or attending post-secondary school when they graduate will go unfulfilled without meaningful learning opportunities.
"When school ends, they are at risk of dependence on costly, formal support services that for the majority will be simply unavailable," she said, noting those who are eligible for services will face lengthy wait lists.
"We must prepare our students so that when they finish high school, they have the skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for post-secondary programs, to enter the workforce, to have the confidence and independence to access community in the same way as their peers."
Le Nobel called for more consultation and said she was ready to work "in whatever capacity I can to move us forward in ways that protect and prioritize the learning needs of all students."
The Coquitlam board of education makes it decision on proposed cuts at a meeting this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Gallery Room at Winslow Centre in Coquitlam.
