SEPAG Draft Statement on Policy and Regulation #5561

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SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY GROUP DRAFT STATEMENT ON
POLICY AND REGULATION #5561

#5561 - Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Techniques for Students with Disabilities

On November 17, 2018, the Special Education Parent Advisory Group, hereinafter referred to as SEPAG, met at its’ regularly scheduled meeting and among other things discussed the upcoming board meeting agenda (click here).  SEPAG recommends the Englewood Board of Education choose Option 1, not Option 2, within proposed Policy and Regulation #5561 (click here) both of which are titled “Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Techniques for Students with Disabilities.”  Option 1 states, “The Board of Education does not allow for the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities.”  The proposed policy will replace the current policy (click here) and current regulation (click here) and the Board of Education has tentatively selected Option 2. 

The SEPAG community has not been consulted on this proposed policy change.  The community believes there is no evidence that severe behaviorally challenged students exist within our student population that would require the extreme response of mechanical restraint or seclusion.  

In Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP’s Policy Alert #216, the proposed policy “provides the Board an option whether to allow for the use of restraint and seclusion techniques” (8).  The Englewood Public School District uses Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP, an organization that according to its “Welcome to Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP” webpage, describes itself as an entity that provides “school policy and regulation consulting services”.  
 

Citations

Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP. Policy Alert #216. July 2018.

“Welcome to Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP.”  Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP, 18 Nov. 2018.