Board reviews updated seclusion and restraint guidelines; cameras to be installed in self-contained special-education classrooms

Ginger Ruchard, who presented the special-education update, told the board the district adopted updated procedures and training consistent with Louisiana law for crisis intervention, de-escalation, seclusion and physical restraint. She emphasized that seclusion and restraint are only used when a student poses an "imminent risk of harm" and that schools use de-escalation strategies, sensory rooms and CPI-trained teams to prevent incidents.

Ruchard said the district does not maintain seclusion rooms in practice, citing behavioral and liability concerns, though state law allows them in narrowly defined circumstances and an IEP could specify use. She described reporting requirements: staff must request a nurse check within one hour after a seclusion or restraint incident, district personnel should be notified promptly, parents must be notified by the end of the school day, and an incident report and available video must be submitted by the next school day.

On cameras, Ruchard said Louisiana now requires cameras in every self-contained special-education classroom (those where students spend 50% or more of the day). Recordings will include audio and video, be stored on a district server, and parents may request access for investigations; district staff will redact footage as required for confidentiality. She said the district is on track to have the cameras installed by February 1.

Board members asked about compensation, staff liability and whether charter schools are subject to the same rule; presenters said access to footage is by request and that the requirement applies to self-contained classrooms under state law.