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Board approves first reading of restraint and seclusion policy revisions
Summary
The RSU 40/MSAD 40 school board approved a first reading of revised Policy IKAA and its procedure IKAA‑R, noting recent changes in state law that allow staff earlier non‑physical intervention in some situations and will mainly affect special education programs.
The RSU 40/MSAD 40 School Board approved a first reading of revised Policy IKAA (use of restraint and seclusion) and the accompanying procedure IKAA‑R at its meeting. The motion for the first reading passed as recorded in the meeting transcript.
Superintendent Dr. Ambrose told the board the revisions respond to recent legal changes and administrative guidance. “We’re really happy that the policy, or the law has been amended to allow us to intervene prior to a physical altercation without necessarily having to fill out a form,” Dr. Ambrose said, adding that the change will mostly affect the district’s special education programs.
Board members discussed the practical effects on staff. Dr. Ambrose said the change lets staff take common‑sense action in urgent situations — for example, preventing a first grader from running into the road — without the paperwork that previously accompanied any physical intervention. Administrators Penelope and Ashley were credited in the meeting for helping draft the revised language.
The policy change was presented as a first reading, pursuant to Policy BG and the policy committee’s recommendation. The board approved the first reading; the meeting transcript records the motion passing "Motion passes 8 61 to 0 to 42." The board did not identify a mover or seconder on the record in the transcript excerpt.
The board will return the item for a future meeting to complete the second reading and any final adoption steps. The superintendent and administrators indicated they will circulate the revised policy and procedure to building leaders and special education staff for implementation guidance prior to a final vote.
Votes at the meeting also included routine approval of minutes from Oct. 2, 2025, recorded in the transcript as passing with the same read vote tally.
