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Tewksbury administration previews DESE-driven updates to seclusion and restraint policy
Summary
Administrators said new DESE regulations (603 CMR 46 and 603 CMR 18, effective Aug. 17) tighten seclusion and restraint rules; the district will roll out staff training and review the revised policy (JKAA) in early August and again the first two days of school.
Superintendent Nancy Milligan briefed the committee that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education updated regulations on time out, seclusion and physical restraint following a federal audit. Milligan said the district's revised JKAA policy narrows seclusion to rare emergency circumstances, clarifies voluntary versus involuntary time out, and adds space and reporting requirements.
"The guidance, regarding time out seclusion and physical restraint is going to be taking effect on August 17 and with it, there was some policy updates along with training requirements," Milligan said. She confirmed administrators received training on July 21 through legal counsel and that all staff must complete mandated training by October 1; the district will also review the changes on the first two days of school (Aug. 30 and Sept. 1). The special education department already had many of the requirements in practice, she said.
