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Board adopts a package of special-education policies; regulation on time-out rooms to follow
Summary
Trustees voted to adopt a set of policies updating procedures on special education, impartial hearings, and use of time-out rooms; administration will draft implementing regulations for time-out procedures for later review.
The Albany City School District Board of Education voted to adopt a bundle of updated special-education policies, including rules on allocation of space for special education, confidentiality and access to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), availability of alternative format instructional materials, impartial hearing officer appointment and compensation, declassification of students, independent educational evaluations, preschool special education, personnel qualifications, and the use of time-out rooms and physical restraints.
The policies were presented by Policy Committee Chair (Miss Grange) and discussed briefly. The board considered the package as a group; trustee Mann moved to adopt the policies and Dr. Jo Jadore seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote with the meeting record showing unanimous approval among members present, with one member temporarily stepped away.
Why it matters: The new policies update district practices to reflect recent guidance and sample language from the New York State School Boards Association (NYSBA) and other sources, and they clarify district obligations related to student privacy, special education services and restraints. The board specifically asked district staff to draft a regulation on the use of time-out rooms, noting no regulation is currently in place. The regulation will be reviewed by the policy committee when complete; the board does not vote on regulations but will receive them for comment.
Details: Board members said the district already meets many of the state recommendations for screening and supports, and the policy changes formalize several practices. The updated student-records (FERPA) policy narrows the district's definition of directory information and prohibits selling directory data; the district will continue to use directory information for programs, yearbooks, honor roll lists and limited administrative planning unless families opt out.
Next steps: Administration will draft the regulation governing time-out procedures and bring it to the policy committee for review. The board also indicated it will review code of conduct language in May during the policy cycle and post proposed changes to the full board in June.
