The news that 86 special needs assistants will be cut from Edmonton public schools is worrying parents of the students who rely on them.

"It was basically, oh, no. What do we do now?" Matthew Haddrell said.

Haddrell's eight-year-old son Carter needs full-time help from a special needs assistant in his class at Waverly Elementary School. He worries what may happen if Carter's situation changes.

"Does that change how I have to go to work or my spouse has to go to work ... because if he doesn't go to school, then we have to change everything," Haddrell said.

Edmonton Public Schools is facing a $14 million shortfall.

Board administrators are recommending the board make up that deficit by eliminating 229 teaching and 115 non-teaching positions and making significant cuts to school spending, with even deeper cuts to central departments.

The principal of Waverly School, Reg Crawford, says the school will lose three teaching aides in the elementary program, but no one in its early education program.

He says children with special needs will continue to be looked after but teachers will have to spread themselves thinner.

"And spend a little less time with kids including Carter and that's where he's going to feel it," Crawford said.

Trustees will vote on a final budget in June.