Virginia Beach has banned the use of seclusion rooms in school buildings, a decision prompted by growing concerns over the practice and a recent lawsuit alleging mistreatment of an 11-year-old student with autism. The move, approved by the School Board last week, extends the ban to spaces used by contractors operating within city school buildings, signaling a comprehensive approach to student safety and well-being. This decision marks a significant shift in policy regarding student discipline and crisis intervention within the Virginia Beach City Public Schools system.
The policy change comes after months of scrutiny following the death of Josh Sykes, a fourth-grader with autism who died in November 2024 days after being placed in a makeshift seclusion area at Pembroke Elementary School. His mother filed a $150 million lawsuit against Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP), alleging negligence and mistreatment. Photos included in the lawsuit depict a confined space constructed with furniture and heavy-duty straps, raising serious questions about the conditions under which students were being isolated. The case brought national attention to the practice of seclusion in schools and its potential harm to vulnerable students.
A History of Seclusion in Virginia Beach Schools
Prior to the ban, Virginia Beach schools reported the highest use of student seclusions in the state. According to Dr. Roni Myers-Daub, executive director of programs for exceptional children in Virginia Beach, seclusion had been used 96 times for 22 different students by SECEP up through January of this school year. Five seclusion rooms were located across two schools: three at Renaissance Academy and two at Windsor Woods Elementary School, as stated by School Board Attorney Kami Lannetti. The use of these rooms, intended for students experiencing behavioral crises, has long been a point of contention for advocates who argue that seclusion can be traumatizing and ineffective.
The Virginia Beach Special Education Advocacy Committee played a key role in advocating for the ban, advising the School Board to eliminate the practice altogether. While the new policy doesn’t entirely prohibit seclusion, it significantly limits its use and eliminates dedicated seclusion rooms. This represents a compromise, according to School Board Member Dr. Alveta Green, who expressed hope that the policy will pave the way for the complete elimination of seclusion in the future. “For me, this is the beginning of moving toward us truly eliminating it,” Green told the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.
What the New Policy Entails
The newly adopted policy focuses on limiting seclusion and regulating the use of restraint, a related technique used to prevent harm to students or others. While details of the policy are still being finalized, the School Board has made clear its intention to reduce instances of seclusion. The policy’s implementation will likely involve increased training for staff on de-escalation techniques and alternative methods for managing student behavior. The goal is to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
The decision to ban seclusion rooms, even those operated by contractors, demonstrates a commitment to ensuring consistent standards of care across all school-related settings. This broader scope of the ban addresses concerns that students could be subjected to seclusion in spaces outside of direct school control. The School Board’s unanimous 11-0 vote underscores the widespread support for the policy change.
Impact on Students and Educators
The ban on seclusion rooms is expected to have a significant impact on both students and educators in Virginia Beach. For students, it means a reduced risk of experiencing the potentially harmful effects of isolation. For educators, it means a greater emphasis on proactive strategies for preventing behavioral crises and providing individualized support to students in need. The shift will require ongoing professional development and collaboration between teachers, administrators, and support staff.
The policy change also comes at a time of increasing national scrutiny of school discipline practices. Advocates for students with disabilities have long argued that seclusion and restraint are often used disproportionately on these students and can exacerbate behavioral problems. The Virginia Beach School Board’s decision could serve as a model for other school districts seeking to create more humane and effective approaches to student discipline.
The next step for the Virginia Beach School Board is to fully implement the new policy and monitor its effectiveness. Ongoing dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, including parents, educators, and advocacy groups, will be crucial to ensuring that the policy meets the needs of all students. The School Board has indicated its willingness to continue refining the policy based on data and feedback.
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