Board reviews update to physical restraint and time-out policy; staff training alignment noted

The Brentwood Union Free School District presented revisions to policy 4321.12 (use of physical restraint and time-out) at the April 23 board meeting, and staff summarized the substance of the changes for the board and public.

Dr. Leoni said the updates included revised staff training requirements to align the district policy with state education department regulations and removal of the word "room" from the time-out nomenclature. "So changes to staff training requirements to align with state ed, regulations and removing that word room from time out room throughout the policy," Dr. Leoni said during the meeting.

A member of the public asked clarifying questions about the policy during the agenda-question period; Dr. Leoni and district staff indicated the wording change was required by the state education department and that updated staff training provisions had been added to the draft policy. The board listed the policy among other policy items being presented to the board of education for information only; the policy committee chaired by Cindy Saffery will continue review.

Why this matters: policy 4321.12 governs staff responses to student behaviors that may involve physical restraint or separation. Aligning local policy language and staff training with state regulations affects staff practices, training schedules and compliance obligations.

Next steps: the policy remains under committee review and was presented as information to the board. The board noted a policy committee chaired by Cindy Saffery is working on multiple policy updates, and the revised policy will return to the board following committee review.