SO, I have been creative. I have researched our community and have found that there is community funds from both corporate and government sources that could be accessed. Perhaps as much as $150,000 per year for three years with an option to continue if it is a proven success.
Problem is, the school and board are now insisting that the entire board must have funding for the program in every school with DD kids. WHAT A RUN AROUND AND EXCUSE. Currently Alexander MacKenzie has co-op for their DD classes, are they in our school board? Exeter has a program supported by outside funding partners. There are many schools in Ontario with coop for their DD classes. So why does NLSS have to fund everyone else. Our school board policies state that the principal is able to bring in programs that he/she feels are appropriate to the community.
SO did the funds from Community Living funds which originally supported this program go to the whole Board? Were they sustained – I thought it was a 3 year contract? Were staff hired with those funds? Were they laid off when those particular funds ended? If NLSS can’t have the program because other schools can’t, how do you explain the ones that exist now?
This certainly opens up a lot of questions that the Principal and Board really can’t or don’t want to answer. This does not mean they are going to avoid our asking! What does it take to make them understand we will not simply go away when given such insulting answers.
