Aug 07 2008
Frustrated Parent: No Special Education Funding
A lot of you know Yvonne Pierre. Her son Zyon was born with Down syndrome and she took the bull by the horns almost immediately to advocate for those with Down syndrome.
What started as an informational website, turned into an internet radio show to help others understand all kinds of special needs!
I had the honor to be on one of Yvonne’s shows myself back in the winter of 08. You can hear that interview here if you are interested.
So, when Yvonne made her call for help, I thought each and everyone of us as parents of children with Special Needs would be interested in this problem.
And, this is, without a doubt….A PROBLEM!
Here is what Yvonne had to say…..
As you all know my youngest son Zyon has Down syndrome and he is going
to the first grade this year. He had early intervention from a few
months old until he was 3. I live in Metro Atlanta, Cobb County. He started
public school at 3-yrs-old, a public school special pre-k program.
Excellent teachers! However, the county keeps bouncing him from school to
school.After pre-k, I understood sending him to a different school because the
school he was at did not offer special education, fine. Then he went
to his new school last year, where I thought he would be until 5th
grade. NO, I got a call in the mid of this summer stating that he will be
going to a new school. They were cutting the special education program at
that school, too.So, since no-one could tell me, I took the liberty of researching
online to find out for myself… what was going on? They not only cut
education, there are ZERO funds for Special Education for the county. Yes,
ZERO, no money will be spent or has been spent towards special education
since 2006! I have been pacing the floor, very upset to say the least.
Okay, I am pi**ed!
Our kids DO count and if we do not speak up now…!
This information is made public. Go to your school board county website
and pull up the school annual budget. You can see where the “claim” to
allocate the annual funding. If you don’t mind, send me the link.
I WILL BE ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE IN THE MEDIA! Special Needs or not,
funding for education should not be cut.
But ZERO for our children will NOT be tolerated!
You can join me if you like, but if I have to fight alone I will. This is not just about my son Zyon, it’s about all special needs children.
Our kids will be counted!
God bless! Pass it on!
Yvonne Pierre
Parent-Advocate
ypierre@zyonair.com
One Response to “Frustrated Parent: No Special Education Funding”
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I’m shocked. My best friend lives in GA and she is always telling me about all the state funding for pre-k for helping kids with speach and physical issues. I would think that would continue for all kids with issues, not just pre-k.
That’s terrible.