School Committee approves restraint policy 4-0
The Amherst School Committee approved a revised restraint and seclusion policy, JKAA, 4-0 with one member absent. Members chose the more detailed April 12 draft over a shorter alternative.
School Committee · Meeting of May 7, 2026
AMHERST — The Amherst School Committee approved a revised restraint and seclusion policy, JKAA, 4-0 with one member absent. Members chose the more detailed April 12 draft over a shorter alternative. They also directed Superintendent Herman to bring staff training materials back for a vote and implement by August 26, 2026.
Earlier, the committee voted 4-0 to require immediate caregiver notice of any restraint, timeout or seclusion, documentation to families within 12 hours, and removal of doors from Fort River's blue rooms within 48 hours. It also adopted a statement from CPAC and Tim Shores on student safety. A member said she was "appalled" at January training slides showing prone restraint.
In the full story:
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- Amherst's community access TV: School Committee meeting, May 7, 2026
- The complete report: 990 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of May 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.
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