Parent urges Salem County to restore K–2 special‑education program; commissioner points to next‑week board meeting

A Salem County parent on March 19 asked the Salem County Board of County Commissioners to take steps to return a K–2 special‑education classroom to the county instead of sending young students to Cumberland County.

Lindsey Breslin of Elsinboro Township told the board her 4‑year‑old daughter, who was diagnosed with autism, faces more than an hour of bus travel to attend services in Cumberland County and that Salem County Special Services’ website still lists K–2 programming as a local offering. "How is that a service to our kids in the county?" Breslin asked, saying she raised the issue with Frank Mauer, the assistant superintendent, on Jan. 28 and had not received a substantive reply.

The exchange matters because parents said transporting very young special‑education students out of Salem County can lengthen school days and complicate access to therapies provided during the school day. Breslin said she has located local therapists and supports but that some children and families lack the information and advocacy to secure needed services.

Commissioner Taylor responded that Salem County owns three Special Services buildings, two of which are located inside the county, and that the county helps fund special services. Taylor said the county does not directly control how Special Services organizes class placements but encouraged Breslin to attend the Special Services board meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the VOTEC to press the issue to that governing board. Taylor said county funding for Special Services was included in the county budget process and offered to follow up; he told Breslin he would leave contact information and expected Special Services representatives to appear at their next board meeting to answer questions.

The board did not take formal action during the March 19 meeting. Breslin said she will attend the Special Services board meeting next week; commissioners and staff said that meeting is the appropriate venue for placement and program‑structure decisions and that county funding and building ownership do not by themselves require class locations to be inside Salem County.

Clarifying details raised during the exchange: Salem County officials said the county owns three Special Services buildings (two in‑county); Breslin reported bus rides to Cumberland County exceed one hour for her child; county commissioners said Special Services funding was included in the county budget. No timetable or formal directive to Special Services was provided on March 19.

The matter remains with the Salem County Special Services board; commissioners suggested parents and advocates appear at that board's meeting to press for local K–2 placements.