Policy committee keeps emergency-focused language for restraint, stresses training and reporting

Danbury School District staff and board members discussed policy 5144.1 at length and decided to retain the policy’s existing emergency-focused language on physical restraint and seclusion while clarifying who is responsible for training and reporting.

Kelly, the assistant superintendent for special education and pupil services, emphasized that restraint and seclusion are emergency interventions used rarely to maintain safety and dignity. She described required reporting steps: notify parents (generally immediately, and within 24 hours) and provide written documentation within 48 hours, and to file the required state form.

Committee members pressed on definitions, where incidents most commonly occur, and the district’s capacity to deliver training. Kelly said the district trains roughly 300–350 staff as part of crisis intervention teams and runs internal training programs including registered behavior technician modules to strengthen de-escalation and support for students.

Board members agreed to keep the policy’s existing wording to emphasize that restraints are last-resort emergency interventions and to add consistent "designee" language to clarify which district official (assistant superintendent for special education and pupil services or designee) is responsible for implementation and staff training. The committee voted to recommend 5144.1 for first reading by the full board.