Any special ed cuts would be devastating, area parents say
The possibility of reductions to special education staffing at the Greater Essex County District School Board has parents speaking out about the potential consequences to their children's education.
Ilana Mizel, who addressed trustees last month about the importance of RISE (Reaching Individual Success and Excellence), told the Windsor Star that any cuts that reduce students' ability to access the program would be “devastating.”
The school board is dealing with an $8.9-million operating deficit this year and has overspent on special education programs, but a board spokesperson insists no decisions on program reductions have been made.
But Mario Spagnuolo, president of the Greater Essex Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, said last week 21 positions will be cut and he fears for the future of the RISE program, which teaches children who need attention outside the regular classroom math and English for half days.
Mizel said her son, who is now in Grade 2, has behavioural concerns and struggles in the classroom. He got into RISE in November because Mizel suggested it to school officials, she said.
The positive effects were almost immediate, she told the Star.
Her son had often become upset or frustrated because he couldn't grasp the material, resulting in outbursts, she said. “He went from having multiple incidents a week to having no incidents,” she said.
“Right away we all noticed there was a significant difference... He has actually now demonstrated an improvement in learning.”
Mizel fears what would happen if her son no longer had access to the RISE program.
“I think that (he) would be lost in the system,” she said. “I don't think he would be educated. I don't know that he would learn to read. I think that he ... would be pushed through until the end of Grade 8.”
Windsor police said the shooting happened Aug. 15 in the 900 block of Pierre Avenue, after the 33-year-old victim got involved in an argument with Managhan and Kyle Small, 26.
“As far as we know they weren't known to each other, and if they were, it was on a minimal basis,” said Faddoul.
He said the argument ended with the victim being “shot several times.” Police seized both weapons the day of the shooting.
Investigators said they don't know what the argument was about.
“If we really put it into perspective, what argument is so serious that somebody shoots another person five to seven times?” said Faddoul. “So whatever the argument was, it was verbal in nature.
“Whether it was going to turn physical or not is a moot point in the fact that it got to a point where these two people, Small and Managhan, thought it was necessary to shoot him five to seven times.”
The victim survived but was seriously wounded and has enduring injuries.
“He is suffering injuries still from the shooting,” said Faddoul. “As you can imagine, being shot — I think it was five or six times — he will have long-lasting injuries. Whether they will be permanent, we're not sure.”
Small was arrested in Michigan on Nov. 25.
Just two weeks ago, on April 23, Managhan placed No. 21 on the Bolo (Be On the Lookout) program's list of Top 25 most wanted suspects in Canada. Investigators received several tips, which ultimately led them to a house in Edmonton.
Faddoul said officers waited for him to leave the house, then pulled over the vehicle he was in late Monday afternoon.
Police don't know how long Managhan, originally from British Columbia, had been in Edmonton. Faddoul said investigators, who tracked Managhan across Western Canada, do know he had temporarily returned to B.C. following the shooting.
The Windsor police major crimes unit, Ontario's Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) squad, and Alberta's Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team (FASST) were all involved in the hunt.
“We've had information for several months he's out west,” said Faddoul. “But specifically Edmonton, I can't say.”
Managhan's list of criminal charges includes attempted murder, discharge firearm with intent to wound/endanger life, and carrying a concealed weapon.
Faddoul said Tuesday Managhan remained in custody in Edmonton until Windsor police officers can get there to bring him back, which will likely happen by the weekend.
“It's a good relief for us,” said Faddoul. “So, I'm sure it will be a great relief for the victim and his family to know that the second suspect is in custody now.”