Bellville, ILLINOIS

"Unfortunately, at this time of the year, the kids are the bargaining chip," the mother said. "And the victims."

Nov 26, 2007 - The teachers, social workers, assistants, aides, psychologists, speech therapists and secretaries from the Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative are planning to strike.

The cooperative works directly with students with a variety of disabilities, from autism to emotional disorders to developmental disabilities. It also provides other school districts with support services, such as psychological evaluations, speech therapy, counseling and testing for vision and hearing impairments.

From their web site: They also provide requested related services to our districts. Services could include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, audiology, music therapy, transportation or orientation and mobility training.

The Pathways School is a day program for students with severe behavioral/emotional disorders.

TT - Special education students are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in learning and in their daily schedules. Every child deserves uninterrupted education and services. But the real source of the problem is legislators who will not impose the same no-strike restrictions that are in place for firemen and police. Those campaign contributions ensure that.