File: JKAA
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT POLICY
Maintaining an orderly, safe environment conducive to learning is an expectation of all staff members of the school district. Further, students of the district are protected by law from the unreasonable use of physical restraint. Physical restraint is defined by 603 CMR 46.02 as direct physical contact that prevents or significantly restricts a student's freedom of movement. Physical restraint does not include: brief physical contact to promote student safety, providing physical guidance or prompting when teaching a skill, redirecting attention, providing comfort, or a physical escort.
Physical restraint shall be used only in emergency situations as a last resort and with extreme caution after other lawful and less intrusive alternatives have failed or been deemed inappropriate.
When an emergency situation arises, and physical restraint is the only option deemed appropriate to prevent a student from injuring himself or herself, another student or school community member, a teacher or employee or agent of the school district may use such reasonable force needed to protect students, other persons or themselves from assault or imminent, serious, physical harm.
The use of mechanical restraint, medication restraint, and seclusion is prohibited.The use of prone restraint except as permitted under 603 C.M.R. 46.03, or of any physical restraint in a manner inconsistent with the regulations at 603 C.M.R. 46.00, is also prohibited. The definitions of forms of restraint shall be as defined in 603 C.M.R. 46.02.
Physical restraint shall be considered an emergency procedure of last resort and shall be prohibited except when a student's behavior poses a threat of assault, or imminent serious, physical harm to themselves and/or others and the student is not responsive to verbal directives or other lawful and less intrusive behavior interventions are deemed inappropriate.
The Superintendent will develop procedures identifying:
Each building Principal will identify staff members to serve as a school-wide resource to assist in ensuring proper administration of physical restraint. These staff members will participate in an in-depth training program in the use of physical restraint.
In addition, each staff member will be trained regarding the school’s physical restraint policy and accompanying procedures. The Principal will arrange training to occur in the first month of each school year, or for staff hired after the beginning of the school year, within a month of their employment.
Physical restraint is prohibited as a means of punishment, or as a response to destruction of property, disruption of school order, a student’s refusal to comply with a school rule or staff directive, or verbal threats that do not constitute a threat of imminent, serious physical harm to the student or others.
Physical restraint is prohibited when it is medically contraindicated, as previously documented by a licensed physician.
The use of time-out procedures during which staff continuously observe and remain immediately available to the student shall not be considered seclusion restraint.
This policy and its accompanying procedures (see: Physical Restraint Procedures [File: JKAA-R]) shall be reviewed and disseminated to staff annually and made available to parents of enrolled students.
Nothing in this policy shall be construed to preclude any teacher, employee, or agent of the West Springfield Public Schools from using reasonable force to protect students, other persons or themselves from assault or imminent serious harm.
Updated: November 2, 2015 ~ Attorney Fay, MHTL (counsel for Special Services)
Reviewed and approved: DESE (May 2019)
Read, reviewed & approved: November 5, 2019[Policy Subcommittee]
Approved: November 12, 2019 [School Committee]