Springfield Parents, board debate seclusion room policy

Seclusion rooms are used sparingly, according to Elm Hill officials.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120330/NEWS02/703309935

Published March 30, 2012 in the Rutland Herald
Springfield Parents, board debate seclusion room policy

By Christian Avard
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — Elm Hill Primary School administrators addressed the Springfield School Board about the alleged misuse of seclusion rooms at a meeting this week. According to investigations conducted by school officials, the Elm Hill seclusion rooms have been used sparingly.

Seclusion rooms are used in the district when students pose a threat to others or to themselves, according to Superintendent of Schools Frank Perotti. The rooms are padded with no windows.

Complaints surfaced at a recent School Board meeting about their use at Elm Hill. Parents told school administrators children were put in the room for “tapping a pencil in class.” One parent claimed her son was placed in seclusion with the door shut and she was never notified.

The School Board ordered a moratorium on their usage and a removal of all seclusion room doors. An investigation followed and Interim Principal Becky Read presented the results.

Past data indicated there was an average of 4.6 office referrals per day since the start of the school year. Read said the numbers were not problematic.

“We have 291 students at Elm Hill ... 212 of them have not been to the office (for disciplinary reasons). The vast majority of the children who have, were there once or twice,” Read said. “We don’t have a huge behavioral problem at Elm Hill but what we do have are children whose needs have not been met behavioral wise.”

Currently, there are seven Elm Hill students working with mentors and developing “functional behavioral plans,” according to Read. Assessments are conducted with students and teachers to determine a plan to meet students’ needs.

Read addressed Elm Hill’s disciplinary policy and said teachers abide by steps and make changes that augment their policy.

Students were sent directly to “a planning room,” a brightly-colored room equipped with games, books, and bean bag chairs for disciplinary matters. Now they will go to the office before they are sent to the planning room.

The planning room also moved to a new location in the school close to offices and an access to the school courtyard. In extreme circumstances, Read said students will be placed in a “quiet room” equipped with “bean bags or exercise balls” to reduce noise and assist student needs.

Above all else, Read said teachers trained to appropriately handle disciplinary issues, have done great jobs, and have not overused seclusion rooms.

“The vast majority of children at Elm Hill have never been sent to the office,” Read emphasized. “Teachers go through steps before a child gets sent out of the classroom ... There is absolutely no seclusion going on at Elm Hill.”

Interim Vice-principal Dana Jacobson-Goodhue said Elm Hill students are engaged in the classrooms, enjoy learning and have fun.

They’re reading, they’re writing, they’re playing and they’re friendly and kind to each other. Ninety-seven percent of them are doing what they’re supposed to do,” Jacobson-Goodhue said.

A parent commended the school district for addressing concerns at Elm Hill. Lori Brown was “appalled” by comments leveled against administrators when parents brought up the seclusion rooms. According to Brown, teachers should be able to teach in their own classrooms.

“I’m not saying I’m for or against (seclusion rooms) but I am for these teachers being able to teach and not discipline children. They are so bombarded with parents who are not taking responsibility of what they’re kids are bringing to school,” Brown said.