Update to Disciplinary Policies
District 203 had many topics on the docket at their latest meeting.
The group talked about revising their policy about timeouts and physical restraint.
Back in November, ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Tribune found many schools were using isolated timeouts behind locked doors as a way to discipline students.
The Illinois State Board of Education issued an emergency order to end this practice – mandating a state-wide update of disciplinary policies.
In the 2014-2015 school year, assistant superintendent Christine Igoe eliminated isolated timeouts. But there are some times where it may be used as a last resort.
The district does see instances when physical restraint may be used when the students are a danger to themselves or others, which is a rule they will keep.
The new policy calls for a written documentation every time timeout or physical restraint is used.
Self-Medicating and Medical Cannabis in School
Also at the meeting, the group discussed their rules about students being able to self-medicate and the potential introduction of medical cannabis in school.
Depending on the type of drugs, students would be allowed to self-carry certain medication, but would need to store medical cannabis in the nurse’s office.
Documents like a school medication authorization form and a valid registry identification card would need to be turned in.
The medical cannabis cannot be smoked or vaped.
Association State Board Joint Annual Conference
School board members also gave an update on the recent Association State Board Joint Annual Conference.
Board president Kristen Fitzgerald took away key points when it comes to implicit bias including, how other districts are making progress to improve culture and how staff can recognize the subtlest bias.
The next Focus 203 meeting will focus on implicit bias.
The board will make a final decision about those two proposed policies at their next board meeting.
Naperville News 17’s Aysha Ashley Househ reports.
