LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV has learned the Lake County School Board might stop offering free bus rides for some autistic children.
Lake County picks up the tab to bus 32 children to a special charter school in Orlando, but the county said the cost, at $400,000, is getting too expensive.
Theresa Campbell sends her son, who has autism, to a special school in Orange County. Neil Middendorf does the same.
“Why should I choose any less for my son? I would be a negligent parent,” said Campbell.
“Lake County, at this time, does not have the services that our kids need and, by law, are entitled to,” said Middendorf.
The district runs three of these buses back and forth to Orlando every school day, and it can be up to an hour each way, which adds up to a lot of miles and a lot of money spent on fuel.
“Diesel fuel is expensive, obviously, especially on buses,” said Chris Patton of the Lake County School District.
Administrators said Lake County now has programs at its own schools to properly serve autistic students. More than 300 children attend the programs, but some parents say it doesn't come close to Princeton House.
No official decision has been made yet. The school board is forming a committee and will make the final call sometime this summer.
WFTV
