Director Byrd presented a new Emergency Safety Interventions policy to the Murray City School District Board, saying it is “brand new” and written to meet state requirements. The policy, required by Utah Code 53G-8-301 and Utah Administrative Rule R277-608, defines physical restraint and seclusion, describes parent notification requirements, outlines ESI training and establishes procedures and school-level designated seclusion areas.

The policy was developed after the state posted a checklist of required elements. Director Byrd told the board the document includes the required definitions — physical restraint in section C and seclusion in section D — as well as the district’s commitments on parent notification (section F), training (section G) and an existing district ESI committee (section H). “We had to include…procedures to be followed for any ESI,” Byrd said, noting that the policy pairs with the procedural training manual used for staff.

Superintendent Covington and Assistant Superintendent Weihange participated in the discussion. Board members asked whether procedures differ by level; Byrd said the same procedures apply for elementary and secondary settings. The board also heard that behavior technicians, many special education teachers and some paraeducators are already ESI trained and that the state has added a required “foundations of behavior” course for all educators who work with students.

Board discussion emphasized the policy’s thoroughness and the district’s aim to make ESI use trauma-informed and strictly procedural, not punitive. Byrd noted the requirement that schools designate enclosed, code-compliant spaces used only for seclusion, and confirmed that the policy will include an eight-page procedures appendix for administrators and ESI-trained staff.

The board received the policy as a first reading; no formal action was taken tonight. Byrd said the district will continue drafting administrative procedures and training materials to align with the new board policy language before a future vote.