Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School pleas for funding
A MT Evelyn parent has accused the State Government of ignoring children with disabilities in order to “buy votes” ahead of November’s election.
Outer East
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A MT Evelyn parent has accused the State Government of ignoring children with disabilities in order to “buy votes” ahead of November’s election.
Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School mother-of-three Emma Withers said the school’s pleas for funding were being ignored, while cash was being pledged at other schools.
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Education MP James Merlino promised a re-elected Labor Government would commit $7.1 million to build Monbulk Primary School a library, Grade 5 and 6 classrooms and netball courts.
“If that’s not buying votes, I don’t know what is,” Mrs Withers said. “Give us a break. Give us something.”
More than 120 vulnerable children have been shivering through winter at the Burdap Drive school, made entirely of 1970s portable classrooms.
“I know Labor has put so much into education but we are constantly overlooked,” she said. “Is it because they are special needs and no-one cares?” The school was previously given $500,000 from the 2017-18 budget, which only covered the masterplan with $380,000 leftover to rebuild the administration office, but no classrooms. Mrs Withers said since the masterplan had been done prices had gone up and all the tender quotes had been out of budget.
Mr Merlino said the State Government already provided $100,000 boost to the school in May. “This is in addition to the $500,000 provided in the 2017-18 State Budget to upgrade and modernise its facilities,” he said.
Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader previously reported the school council’s anguish at having been left behind and the group “beseeched” Premier Daniel Andrews to reconsider its application for capital works cash.
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