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Board reviews proposed updates to discipline and emergency safety intervention policies; more changes to come
Summary
The Board of Education reviewed proposed revisions to student-discipline policies (AA418/AS67/DP378) to clarify staff responsibilities, allowable physical contact and emergency safety interventions, and asked staff to bring the revised language back at a future study session.
The Jordan School District Board of Education reviewed proposed revisions to district policies on student discipline and staff responsibilities in a study session April 22 and asked staff to return with edits before a final vote.
Administrators said the updates are intended to align district policy with the Utah least restrictive behavioral interventions (LRBI) guidance and state code. Proposed language clarifies when staff may use limited, temporary physical contact (a "temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of guiding a student") and reiterates that emergency safety interventions (ESIs) such as restraint may only be used to prevent imminent harm and must be documented and reported per LRBI Chapter 7.
Superintendent Anthony Godfrey and staff told the board the changes are not new law but rather an effort to clarify existing authority and reduce confusion among staff about what contact is permissible. "We're not forging new ground here," Godfrey said, noting the state school board will also issue a required model policy that may prompt further local updates.
Board members suggested several clarifications, including expanding vandalism language to cover student property displayed at school, emphasizing the "least restrictive" principle from code and adding more precise wording where state code was quoted. Administrators said they plan to create training materials and a short instructional video this summer to explain permissible de-escalation techniques and how to safely guide or restrain a student when required.
No policy changes were approved at the April 22 meeting; staff will bring a revised draft back to a study session and then to a future business meeting for possible adoption.
Why it matters
Policy and training that clarify when staff may restrain or move a dysregulated student affect staff safety, student safety and legal compliance. The board directed staff to finish policy wording and to prepare training to reduce confusion and risk.
