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Committee approves formal policy on time‑out spaces with revised training language
Summary
The School Committee approved Policy P5327 standardizing the use of time‑out spaces. The committee amended draft language to require staff who supervise such spaces be "appropriately trained" rather than naming a trademarked program.
The School Committee on May 27 approved revised Policy P5327 governing time‑out spaces and their use in district schools, adding written documentation of procedures and training expectations.
Key change: Committee members amended initial draft language to replace a specific, trademarked training reference with a requirement that staff supervising time‑out spaces be "appropriately trained." The change was intended to preserve consistent training standards while avoiding mandatory use of a single proprietary program.
Policy purpose and controls: The policy lays out documentation requirements for time‑out spaces, standards for supervision and the expectation that staff who use the rooms receive de‑escalation training and appropriate supports. The committee emphasized consistent application across buildings and asked staff to finalize operational guidelines and ensure transparency with families.
Vote: The committee approved the policy as amended. Committee members said the change was intended to clarify district expectations and to provide consistency while allowing flexibility in the choice of de‑escalation training approaches.
Next steps: Administration will finalize the text to reflect the amended training language, provide building‑level procedures and ensure staff and families are informed about use and oversight of time‑out spaces.
