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Granby School Committee reviews state-mandated update to seclusion/time-out policy
Summary
At a first read the committee reviewed an updated Policy J on seclusion and time-out that reflects recent regulatory changes; members flagged differences with 603 CMR 46 and asked staff to document discrepancies for counsel before adoption and to schedule required staff training over the summer.
The Granby School Committee on June 9 conducted a first reading of Policy J, which updates the district's seclusion and time-out rules to align with recent state regulatory guidance and legal counsel recommendations.
Members said the draft was prepared by the district's special education attorney (HESSI Lahey) and noted it tightens definitions of seclusion and clarifies required timeout-space practices. Committee members emphasized that the updated approach aims to reduce restrictive practices, require de-escalation strategies and expand staff training. Several members observed that the draft appears to prohibit seclusion in most circumstances and leaves a narrow exception where a student poses an imminent danger to themselves or others.
A member who reviewed 603 CMR 46 in detail pointed out language differences between the draft and that regulation and asked that those differences be written up and sent to the superintendent so the attorney can explain why the district's version differs. The committee agreed to continue review at the policy subcommittee and to compare the draft to the MASC model policy at an upcoming meeting; staff were asked to provide readable copies of the handbook pages that will include the new language.
Committee members stressed the statutory/regulatory training obligations and the practical need to use the summer to prepare staff for the fall. No vote was taken; the first-read materials will be revisited after the policy subcommittee and counsel provide clarification and any proposed edits.
