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Seclusion rooms: Parents speak out at school board meeting

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By: Debra Worley - bio | email
NC Fear Free Education is expected to present 300 petitions during Tuesday night's school board meeting, asking the school system to stop using the seclusion rooms until a scientific study can take place. (Source: Ben Powell) NC Fear Free Education is expected to present 300 petitions during Tuesday night's school board meeting, asking the school system to stop using the seclusion rooms until a scientific study can take place. (Source: Ben Powell)
Ben Brown spoke to the Board of Education, saying "the law allows these children to be mistreated and secluded." (Source: Ben Powell) Ben Brown spoke to the Board of Education, saying "the law allows these children to be mistreated and secluded." (Source: Ben Powell)
Family members against seclusion rooms showed up at the Board of Education meeting. (Source: Ben Powell) Family members against seclusion rooms showed up at the Board of Education meeting. (Source: Ben Powell)

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Parents against the use of seclusion rooms in schools spoke out Tuesday night during the New Hanover County School Board meeting.

According to Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Rick Holliday, most schools in New Hanover County have seclusion rooms. Holliday explained, "however, they are only used in accordance with the Greenblatt Act." The law allows for seclusion rooms to be used in instances to keep students, teachers and staff safe.

Board members said they wanted to learn more about the difference between physical restraint and the seclusion room.

A parent recently filed a Civil Rights complaint against the school system for using this technique. The parents claim their 5-year-old son is a special education student who has been placed in a seclusion room and forced to stay inside. The complaint says the rooms are only being used on children with disabilities, therefore violating their civil rights.

NC Fear Free Education presented a petition with hundreds of signatures during Tuesday night's school board meeting, asking the school system to stop using the seclusion rooms until a scientific study can take place.

Board member Derrick Hickey propsed holding a public forum for parents to voice more concerns about seclusion rooms. The Board did not take any action.

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