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Board reviews expanded restraint and seclusion policy required by VDOE (first read)
Summary
Staff presented a substantially revised restraint and seclusion policy—expanded from roughly two to 14 pages to add monitoring, definitions, permitted items, monitoring protocols and training—saying the Virginia Department of Education reviewed and recommended revisions; the item will return in August for final approval.
District staff presented a required revision of the division's restraint and seclusion procedures, describing an expanded document drafted to incorporate Virginia Department of Education feedback and to ensure comprehensive monitoring, clarified roles, prohibited items and required training.
"Our seclusion and restraint policy has gone from 2 pages to 14 because we wanted to ensure that it was comprehensive about monitoring, about ensuring that everyone understands what seclusion and restraints are, who is allowed to have them, what items are not allowed or permitted for students, who is to monitor, what that monitoring look like, and what training and supports must take place," the presenter said. Staff told the board the VDOE reviewed the draft and that training cannot begin until the policy is formally approved.
Board members asked whether the policy applies only to staff working with students with disabilities and who will be trained; staff replied training will be division‑wide and the policy applies to anyone who may be restrained or placed in seclusion. The presenter reiterated this is a first read and that final approval and the first level of training are scheduled when teachers return, pending board action in August.
