Committee reviews restraint-policy revisions; special-education NEST program could expand and reduce costly out-of-district placements

The committee reviewed proposed revisions to the district's restraint policy and received a special-education update on the NEST (nurturing emotional support and teaching) program.

Policy revisions: the policy subcommittee and superintendent (speaker 4) summarized changes that prioritize prevention and de-escalation, clarify in-class support and prohibit use of restraint except as a last resort. The superintendent said staff training will expand: "Our goal is to have every member of the staff TCIS trained over the next couple years," he said. The committee will vote on the revised policy at a future meeting because it was not on the published agenda.

NEST program and costs: Mr. Beltzari (speaker 8) reported the NEST program began with one student and now serves three. He discussed inter-district placements and potential for 3–4 additional students from neighboring districts. He highlighted the cost savings: a typical out-of-district placement with transportation for a single student can cost about $100,000 per year, while serving students locally preserves inclusion and reduces outlay. "Out of district placement for any 1 student with transportation would be about a $100,000," he said.

What the committee will do next: the policy discussion will return for a formal vote next month. Administration said it will continue outreach to neighboring districts about admitting students to the NEST program and present any proposed tuition/pricing structure to the committee when details are finalized.

Record: the transcript shows the policy discussion as informational; no formal policy vote was taken at this meeting.