Financial recovery plan approved by GECDSB [Video]

A multi-year financial recovery plan has been approved by Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) trustees, much to the dismay of parents and students who left Tuesday’s meeting disappointed.

“I am going to be very sad when they eliminate the program,” said 7-year old Lochlan Denorer, who will no longer be able to rely on the Reaching Individual Success and Excellence program, otherwise known as RISE.

The board is facing a deficit of over $6.3 million, and in order to bring the deficit to Ministry standards, the board had to submit a plan that would balance the budget by 2026-27.

Part of that plan are cuts to the special education program.

“I feel that it was a colossal failure on the part of the board, on the part of the trustees,” said Jacqueline Andersch, Denorer’s mother. “They should have done better.”

Gale Hatfield, chair of the trustees, said some …