“There is no timeline for even a discussion about how to support them,” a source said.
Sep 23, 2025 • Last updated Sep 23, 2025 •
The Thames Valley District school board building in London. (Mike Hensen/The )
Some students in the Thames Valley with special needs are missing school because they don’t have the necessary supports, as the special education program has hit a standstill, according to an insider within the board.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“Students who have come from outside the board and need significant support for their safety and others’ safety – there’s no timeline for even discussing how to support them,” said the source, who asked to remain anonymous due to concerns about retaliation from the Thames Valley District school board. “I have serious worries about safety and human rights and can’t get any answers.
“Many principals are choosing to keep (students) at home until proper support can be arranged.”
With the Thames Valley board currently under a provincially mandated supervision order and special education superintendent Jeff Bruce on medical leave, students aren’t receiving approval for assistance from education assistants, the source noted.
Labour and employment lawyer Paul Boniferro was appointed as supervisor of the Thames Valley District school board following an extensive audit earlier this year.
The audit conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP revealed “indications of potential financial mismanagement,” according to provincial authorities.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The audit showed that the board’s financial status fell from a surplus of $3.5 million in 2020-21 to a deficit of $17.3 million in 2023-24. The deficit then grew further to $32 million.
Schools are waiting “for a response regarding support and/or direction but there’s no one in charge,” stated the insider.
The situation is compounded by “a massive shortage of educational assistants,” they added.
“The number of permanent EAs hasn’t increased in over ten years within the board,” they explained. “We’re expected to group together very high-needs kids and plead for temporary assistance.”
On Sept. 12, The reached out to the Thames Valley District school board asking if some students were staying home due to lack of needed supports. The board replied on Sept. 15 that it was “still looking into this” and would follow up with more information later.
The board sent an email on Thursday, Sept. 18 requesting that their comments be included in this story “to ensure all perspectives are represented.”
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
All TVDSB students are welcome at school. We’re committed as a board to providing a supportive environment for every learner. Our special education team is actively working to provide services for students with special needs while collaborating closely with parents, school teams, and community partners. We aim to ensure all students have access to essential resources and support tailored to their individual needs so they can thrive academically as well as socially and emotionally.
“Unfortunately, given current guidelines.. many students may not receive immediate support,” she explained. “We believe it’s time for government officials reconsider how procedures are managed since there’s evidently a demand.”
“There are too many outdated processes causing serious concern among staff and leaving students without adequate help.”
Some full-time kindergarteners might wait until January before starting classes so they can secure proper assistance right from day one,
“Our board like many others really requires additional staff; if we prioritize our students’ welfare shouldn’t every child have an EA available?” she questioned.
Meanwhile during SEAC’s latest meeting Tracy Grant from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder-Elgin London Middlesex Oxford Network expressed her deep worry that SEAC’s work could stall during these challenging times. This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.
“I think numerous vital issues need attention from both province leaders & supervisors,” she stated.
Her remarks came while discussing addressing long wait times surrounding speech therapy requests. London-area children facing speech disorders often wait up three years just get seen by community speech-language therapists at Thames Valley Children’s Centre.
“We genuinely owe it our duty fulfill student requirements…there’re ethical obligations tied directly here along with practical matters needing urgent address,” Grant emphasized. Emma Testani,, spokesperson for Ministry Education indicated since last year funding directed towards special education rose over thirty-one percent alongside hiring of an extra ten thousand educational personnel which includes four thousand more aides overall. “We anticipate all boards statewide will allocate these funds exclusively toward supporting learners , families , & instructors ,”she conveyed via email Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept.18 th including remarks made by Thames Valley District schoolboard hrivers Read More
Parents express frustration over special education supports : School Board
School Board pushed better assist children diagnosed fetal alcohol disorder
Share this Article social networks
Source link
Mary Henry, president of CUPE Local 4222 representing around 1,600 employees including secretaries, assistants, and early childhood educators confirmed that some students are being kept home due to insufficient supports.
“We know there’s been an increase in special education students which has been communicated clearly through human resources,” she stated.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Henry mentioned that the union “strongly urges the board to hire more EAs” so student needs can be met promptly.“Unfortunately, given current guidelines.. many students may not receive immediate support,” she explained. “We believe it’s time for government officials reconsider how procedures are managed since there’s evidently a demand.”
“There are too many outdated processes causing serious concern among staff and leaving students without adequate help.”
Some full-time kindergarteners might wait until January before starting classes so they can secure proper assistance right from day one,
“Our board like many others really requires additional staff; if we prioritize our students’ welfare shouldn’t every child have an EA available?” she questioned.
Meanwhile during SEAC’s latest meeting Tracy Grant from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder-Elgin London Middlesex Oxford Network expressed her deep worry that SEAC’s work could stall during these challenging times. This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.
“I think numerous vital issues need attention from both province leaders & supervisors,” she stated.
Her remarks came while discussing addressing long wait times surrounding speech therapy requests. London-area children facing speech disorders often wait up three years just get seen by community speech-language therapists at Thames Valley Children’s Centre.
“We genuinely owe it our duty fulfill student requirements…there’re ethical obligations tied directly here along with practical matters needing urgent address,” Grant emphasized. Emma Testani,, spokesperson for Ministry Education indicated since last year funding directed towards special education rose over thirty-one percent alongside hiring of an extra ten thousand educational personnel which includes four thousand more aides overall. “We anticipate all boards statewide will allocate these funds exclusively toward supporting learners , families , & instructors ,”she conveyed via email Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept.18 th including remarks made by Thames Valley District schoolboard hrivers Read More
Parents express frustration over special education supports : School Board
School Board pushed better assist children diagnosed fetal alcohol disorder
Share this Article social networksSource link
