A FINAL decision on a controversial review of special education has been delayed by two months.
A vote on the proposals was due to take place in October, but councillors have put it back to December.
If approved, the number of special schools in the county will be reduced from 11 to six and more pupils will study in mainstream schools.
The review proposes that Mowbray School, in Bedale, is merged with Dales School, in Morton-on-Swale, near North-allerton, with a combined school at the Bedale site.
Parents fear that would mean about 70 children with moderate to severe learning difficulties, who would normally attend Mowbray, having to be taught in mainstream schools.
The county council said the plans would result in a £51m investment in special needs provision and provide a better service to some of the county's most vulnerable children.
Under the new timetable the proposals will be examined by a committee in late October, put before the executive group in November and voted on by the council on December 20.
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