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District outlines layered elementary behavior supports and plans 'reset room' to reduce outside placements
Summary
DC Everest described a three-tier behavior-support model for elementary students and proposed a 'reset room' teaching environment; administrators said the change aims to reduce out-of-district placements that cost roughly $140,000 annually for four elementary placements.
District special-education director Julie Weller and new behavior support specialist Heather Ty presented an update on elementary behavior supports and a proposed continuum of interventions.
Weller said the district is seeing increased behavioral needs that reduce instructional time for teachers. Heather Ty described a layered approach: Tier 1 universal classroom practices (responsive classroom training planned for summer), Tier 2 targeted interventions and staff support, and Tier 3 intensive, individualized supports. Ty said special education students are experiencing increased rates of seclusion and restraints, repeated incidents, and suspensions.
As part of Tier 3 planning, staff presented the concept of a "reset room" — a teaching environment emphasizing routine, structure and relationships to help students regulate and return to their home classroom. Administration said the goal includes avoiding costly out-of-district placements: the district currently has four elementary students in outside placements at roughly $140,000 per year in total for those placements.
Board members asked for clarification that the reset-room concept is still under development (research phase) and whether current spaces and supports exist in schools today; administration said existing options are used but the reset room would be a higher-level, consistent support to be planned carefully before implementation.
Why it matters Administration framed the reset-room concept as a strategy to keep students in-district, preserve instruction, and reduce the use of expensive external placements. Board members praised the multi-tiered approach but emphasized careful planning and facility considerations.
What’s next Staff will continue planning, research the reset-room concept and coordinate facilities to identify appropriate space and an implementation timeline.
