PROPOSAL TO DISSOLVE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM This Thursday, the Superintendent will recommend to the Board of Education that the Educational Services Unit- ABA/Autism department be dissolved. Shutting down this department will have a detrimental effect on students with autism AND Burlington County public school districts!!! Despite the continual and steady growth of this department, it is said to be closing for “reasons of the economy.” The proposal to lay off 93 educators will affect over 100 students in 17 districts!!! ESU Autism department works with public schools to help keep students with autism and behavioral difficulties within their public school setting. Dismantling this unit, as the Superintendent is proposing will significantly impact children with disabilities, who are currently thriving within their districts with the academic, behavioral, and social support ESU Autism provides. Failure to provide these services will force districts to consider more restrictive placements and, in some cases, to be out of compliance with the students Individualized Education Plan. No attempt was made to make financial adjustments within the department before cutting it as a whole. Our hope is that we can work together with administration and the school board to make the appropriate cuts without sacrificing the entire entity. Because we were given a limited amount of time to prepare a rebuttal to this drastic proposal, swift action is needed to save this department before the board votes THIS Thursday April 25, 2013! Please spread the word! Contact the Freeholders and let them know you do NOT agree with this proposal!!! Please SHARE, SHARE, SHARE this information!