Policy committee adopts special-education updates under Act 479, including classroom cameras and notification rules

The St. Mary Parish policy committee approved a set of revisions to special-education policies required by Act 479, including new language on seclusion and physical restraint, a parent-notification standard and a requirement that special-education classrooms be equipped with video-and-audio cameras.

The committee chair said the changes consolidate multiple statutory revisions into district policy and that "attorneys ... strongly recommend that we adopt the policy as revised and reviewed by them." The chair told members the board is following the statute’s language while required procedures will provide operational detail.

Board member Miss Anselm, speaking from a parent’s perspective, asked for clearer timing on notification after a seclusion or physical restraint incident, noting, "I wanna know my kid's okay the minute that you have a second." An unnamed official replied that contacting parents is one of the immediate steps and that although the policy repeats the statutory phrase "as soon as practicable, but no later than the end of the same day," the district’s procedures provide for prompt contact in practice.

On cameras, the chair said the board will "adopt and operate cameras that record both video and audio in each special-education classroom as required by state law, in accordance with procedures promulgated by the superintendent," and noted that parents must be notified if a camera is out of service for more than two consecutive days. Miss Anselm said the cameras "make me feel a lot better" for the protection of students and staff.

Miss Brent moved to adopt the consolidated special-education policies; Miss Anselm seconded the motion and the committee approved it by voice vote.

The changes affect policies listed as IDDF/IDDFC and JDA and will be implemented through policies and the district’s required procedures, with attorney review recorded in the board packet.