KINGSTON (WATE) – A special school at the Michael Dunn Center in Kingston is closing at the end of June. The move to shut down the program has caught some parents off guard, leaving them wondering where their special needs kids will go to school next year.

The special school program is one of 12 at the Michael Dunn Center. Since the early 1970’s, the Michael Dunn School program has specialized in teaching children with intellectual disabilities from Roane and Morgan counties, but in the last eight years, a number of factors have worked against the school. Just the other day, the board decided to close two of the center’s programs.

In another month, Marcella Bean will no longer be waiting for her son to arrive home in a bus operated by the Michael Dunn Center. Jordan Bean, 15, who has multiple challenges and needs, will no longer be attending the center’s special classes.

“They’re wanting to place him in Oliver Springs High School. Oliver Springs, I don’t think is equipped for these kids. I don’t think it should close. These kids need this school. Mine is non-verbal. He does not speak. He does not know how to write his name,” said Bean.

At one time, up to 100 children filled the halls at the Dunn Center, but classrooms have been closed in recent years as enrollment has declined. Now, Mrs. Theresa’s classroom is one of only two at the special school currently being used.

“The concept of inclusion really swept the country, and it affected Roane County just like everyplace else. We went from children with disabilities being referred here to children with disabilities being served in their home schools and our numbers simply dwindled,” said Mike McElhinney, Michael Dunn Center president.

Ryan Burdick’s mother once had him mainstreamed and enrolled in a public school. She says he wasn’t flourishing in that setting, so she enrolled him at the Michael Dunn Center where she says he blossomed.

“[Ryan] grew. He was socialized. He was focused on his life skills, socialization skills, getting him out in the public. That’s what he needed,” said Agatha Johnston.

In Harriman, the Henry Center, a private pay school, is one of the other Michael Dunn programs that will close on June 30. In its heyday, the preschool had 150 children with and without disabilities. There are now only 40 kids enrolled.

“In approximately 2007, when the Department of Education changed the guidelines and we began serving the children with disabilities in their homes on a weekly visit by case workers,” said McElhinney.

“I worry because I had his future planned at the Michael Dunn. He was going to thrive there. He was going to learn,” said Monique Stevens, another mother of a Michael Dunn student.

Stevens hopes her son still can continue learning from teachers at the Michael Dunn Center.

McEhlinney says he’s negotiating with Roane County’s school superintendent hoping special education teachers let go at Michael Dunn will be hired at Roane County Schools. If that happens, maybe children like Jordan Bean will get the special attention his mother would like to see him receive. Roane County Schools’ decision may take a few weeks.

The Michael Dunn Center’s work program, all of its residential programs and homes are not closing.