PHYSICAL RESTRAINTS AND SECLUSION OF STUDENTS AND USE OF EXCLUSIONARY TIME OUT

PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION OF STUDENTS AND USE OF EXCLUSIONARY TIME OUT

The Meriden Board of Education ("Board") seeks to foster a safe and positive learning environment for all students. Board of Education employees will restrict the use of physical restraint and seclusion of students to emergency situations, in accordance with this policy and accompanying administrative regulations and applicable law.  Physical restraint or seclusion of a student may be necessary in an emergency situation to maintain the safety of the student or another individual. The Board also regulates the use of exclusionary time out in accordance with this Policy and accompanying regulations and applicable law.

The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent or his/her designee to develop and implement Administrative Regulations in accordance with this Policy and applicable law.  The Board of Education mandates compliance with this Policy and the associated Administrative Regulations at all times.  Violations of this Policy and/or associated Administrative Regulations by a Board of Education staff member or other individual working at the direction of, or under the supervision of, the Board of Education, may result in disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination of employment status and/or termination of contract for services.

Nothing within these regulations shall be construed to interfere with the Board’s responsibility to maintain a safe school setting, in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 10-220.  Under no circumstances shall employees or individuals under the supervision of the Board use corporal punishment with students or physically manage students for purposes of discipline.

Legal References:

Public Act 18-51, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Department of Education

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76b

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-236b

Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-18 to 53a-22

Reg. Conn. State Agencies. §§ 10-76b-5 to 10-76b-11

Other References:

Restraint and Seclusion: Resource Document, United States Department of Education, available at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/seclusion/restraints-and-seclusion-resources.pdf.

Understanding the Laws and Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion, Connecticut State Department of Education (July 2018).

Guidance Related to Recent Legislation Regarding Restraint and Seclusion, Connecticut State Department of Education (Revised, July 2018).

Adopted:  November 21, 2017

Amended:  December 18, 2018