Howard County parents are upset that some students with disabilities won?t have buses to take them to a county-run after-school program next year.
“This is the only program in the county to address the needs of teenagers who have disabilities who cannot be left alone,” said Jean Daniello, whose two daughters attend the Therapeutic Recreation Extended Care program at Cedar Lane Park in Ellicott City.
The program, operated by the county?s parks and recreation department and open 2 to 6 p.m., has 17 teenagers with disabilities who participate in arts and crafts, learn life skills and take fieldtrips, said Joynel Young, supervisor for the program.
At issue is whether the Howard County Public School System should transport students whose home schools do not fall within existing bus routes to the program.
Students who attend Wilde Lake, Atholton and Oakland Mills high schools fall within current bus routes to the program, said David Drown, director of transportation for the school system.
The transportation department changed some of its routes to accommodate the students. Some parents did not understand that the school system was not obligated to transport the children to the program, Drown said.
Though routes were changed this year, that may not happen next school year, he said.
“I can?t guarantee that the transportation will be provided,” Drown said.
The School Board would have to approve additional funding in next year?s budget, School Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman said.
The cost could fall between $50,000 to $100,000 to provide transportation from all 12 high schools to the program, Drown said.
“That?s a conservative estimate; it could be much higher,” he said.
Stanley Daniello, Jean Daniello?s husband, said their daughters would receive transportation because they attend Wilde Lake High, but other parents could be facing a serious problem if the transportation isn?t provided.
“We want them to provide transportation for the kids; we believe it?s the appropriate thing to do,” Stanley Daniello said.
