A major change in how Massachusetts schools handle student restraint and seclusion is just weeks away — and Andover parents will have a chance to weigh in before the new rules take effect.
The School Committee's Policy Subcommittee will meet Wednesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. to review the district's restraint and seclusion policy, along with several other school policies, during a virtual meeting open to the public.
The timing is significant. New state regulations governing time-out, seclusion and physical restraint take effect Aug. 17, requiring school districts across Massachusetts to update their policies and procedures.
Among the biggest changes are stricter limits on when seclusion can be used, new parent notification requirements, and expanded reporting and tracking by school administrators. Under the updated rules, seclusion cannot be used as discipline or punishment, and principals must notify parents within 24 hours whenever emergency seclusion is used.
The regulations also clarify that a "time out" is a voluntary, temporary break in an unlocked space that a student can leave at any time and is intended only to help the student regain self-control.
Andover first identified the policy for review in June as the district prepared for the statewide changes.
The subcommittee will also review several other policies that affect students and families, including:
- School choice, which determines whether Andover accepts students from other districts.
- Booster organizations, including how parent groups work with the schools.
- Building use, covering access to school facilities.
- Bus driver training and certification requirements.
Several of the policies are based on updated model language from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
How to participate
The meeting will be held via Zoom and is open to the public. Residents can submit comments or questions by emailing [email protected] before or during the meeting. The Zoom registration link is available on the town's website.
With the Aug. 17 deadline approaching, the meeting is expected to help shape how Andover schools implement one of the state's most significant updates to student safety policies in years.
