School board reverses bus attendant cuts after parent push

The Ottawa Catholic School Board reversed its decision to eliminate school bus attendants after nearly three weeks of pressure from families who depend on the service for their children's safety.

Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 23 to reinstate the program that was set to be cut. The decision came after parents and caregivers spoke passionately about how the attendants support children with medical and developmental needs.

For six-year-old Mia, who is non-verbal and medically fragile, the bus attendant is a lifeline. Her parents, Amanda Jollymore and Brian McPhail, said they learned on June 5 that the attendants would be eliminated, with caretaking duties shifted to bus drivers. They immediately joined other families in sounding the alarm: drivers already focused on the road couldn't adequately monitor children at risk of seizures, aspiration, and other medical emergencies.

"We just want to focus on the summer to be able to try to keep (Mia) healthy, keep her safe, keep her happy and just be able to now look towards the summer and not have to spend it worrying about how we're going to get her to and from school safely," Jollymore said.

Board chair Mark Mullan said in a statement that trustees "listened carefully to families and heard directly from those most affected by this decision." The board said it will continue support for eligible students, work with transportation providers to ensure consistent service, and review long-term strategies for the program.

For Mia, keeping the attendants means she can continue riding to St. Francis of Assisi School in Orléans with trained support at her side. Jollymore said Mia loves the bus, especially when the driver and attendant play nursery rhyme music for her.