Buckingham Exceptional Student Center is set to relocate students

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Parents of students at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center are raising concerns about the Lee County School District's decision to relocate students to Royal Palm Exceptional Center, citing the unique accommodations at Buckingham and the potential challenges of the move.

Cyndi Diaz, a founder of Little Voices of Buckingham, said the school has been more than just a learning space for her son Bruce.

"The moment I came in, everybody knew my son's name," Diaz said.

Diaz described the school as a vital and welcoming environment for students.

"This is their home," she said.

Diaz founded Little Voices of Buckingham to unite parents in opposition to the district's plan to relocate all students from Buckingham to Royal Palm Exceptional Center.

"We have different accommodations here. This school was built exclusively for them. We don't have any steps. We're completely wheelchair friendly," Diaz said.

The district stated that all staff and services from Buckingham will move to the new campus, and transportation will be provided. The district also highlights that relocation is not connected to the budget cuts they announced for the upcoming year.

Katie Peterson, another parent, expressed concern about the changes and their impact on her blind daughter.

"It's very concerning to know budget cuts are being made, but yet they would need to make a promise that they're going to add all of these adaptive things to this campus," Peterson said.

She explained the careful considerations she makes for her daughter in everyday situations.

"When we go to a restaurant, I check it out first. I know how loud it is. I know if I can move her wheelchair around. I know if the tables are high top or low top to be able to pull her up to it. I know if the lights buzz," Peterson said.

The relocation is planned for August.

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