P.E.I.'s Eastern School District has permanently banned a driver from transporting its students, following an assault conviction for rubbing spit on a disabled child's face.

Parent Valerie Gillespie wants Szerman fired and more training at Pat and the Elephant. (CBC)

The incident occurred last spring. Brenton Gillespie, 14, was with his sister on a Pat and the Elephant van, a service for people with disabilities. Gillespie has a condition causing a number of physical disabilities and which leaves him with the mental capacity of a three-year-old.

He has trouble swallowing, which leads to a tendency to spit. On the day last spring, Gillespie spit on the van door as he was leaving. Driver Pablo Szerman scooped the spit off the door and rubbed it on Gillespie's face.

Szerman pleaded guilty to assault, and was given a conditional discharge. Pat and the Elephant suspended Szerman from driving minors until September.

Now the Eastern School District, which contracts out to Pat and the Elephant to drive some of its students, said it has placed a permanent ban on Szerman.

Gillespie's mother Valerie said she was pleased by the district's action, but said it is hardly enough.

"I don't think that this man should be driving anyone with a special needs," she said.

"Brenton isn't going to be 14 forever. He's going to be an adult. And I think we really have to send a message to everyone that these kids need to be taken care of."

Gillespie thinks Pat and the Elephant should fire Szerman and put its drivers through more training on how to properly handle passengers with special needs.

Nobody from Pat and the Elephant was available Tuesday for comment. The company has said in the past it has no plans to relieve Szerman of his duties.