Board reviews annual seclusion and restraint report; district cites training and behavior‑planning efforts

The Franklin Board of Education on Sept. 24 received the district’s annual seclusion and restraint report for the prior school year, a required submission to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction under Wisconsin Act 118. Leo Ekman, director of student services, told the board the district has increased staff training and taken steps to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint.

“This is an annual report required by DPI, or governed by Wisconsin Act 118 which went into effect in March 2020,” Ekman said, describing the reporting framework and the district’s compliance obligations. He said DPI has increased reporting visibility as a policy measure intended to limit use of seclusion and restraint.

Ekman told the board the district has expanded training in the nonviolent crisis intervention course and now has three staff members qualified to teach the course; the district has trained educational assistants, teachers, special education staff and student services staff. The report also highlights work with outside consultants to improve functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs).

Ekman described a districtwide focus on teaching self‑management and self‑regulation skills. The initiative launched in early August at the district leadership summit, and each school’s improvement plan (SIP) includes a goal tied to teaching self‑management strategies so staff and students can be proactive and reduce incidents that would otherwise lead to seclusion or restraint.

Board members thanked staff for communication and proactive measures; the item was presented for information and questions and did not include a formal board action.

Speakers on the report included Leo Ekman, director of student services.