Questions and Answers on DPS use of de-escalation rooms

OFFICE OF THE DENVER SCHOOL BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

On August 3rd, I, along with my colleagues on the Denver School Board, announced that we had received a tip from a whistleblower uncovering a seclusion (otherwise identified by McAuliffe staff as a incarceration) room. This discovery led to many questions on if seclusion/incarceration happens across Denver Public Schools. I have been searching for answers to these questions, and today, I am releasing the following information.

Firstly, regarding the standard policy, a school leader needs to follow for de-escalation: We value the diverse needs of our students and the distinct nature of each school environment. As such, many of our school leaders assess the unique needs of the students in their care and set up the environment accordingly. We have multiple policies restricting the use of seclusion and limitations on how monitored seclusion should be used. Importantly, locking students in a room is strictly prohibited within DPS policy.

Policy JKA: Employees are prohibited from using seclusion.

Policy JKA-R (7): “Seclusion” (which is prohibited) means the placement of a student alone in a room from which egress is involuntarily prevented.

Policy JKA-R (F): Seclusion and Monitored Seclusion

Employees shall not use seclusion with students.

In permitted situations of monitored seclusion, where the student is not alone, but is in a room or space where egress is involuntarily prevented, the following requirements apply:

1. If possible, at least two staff members should accompany the student in the room or space, but at least one staff member must accompany the student at all times.
2. Relief periods shall be provided for reasonable access to toilet facilities.
3. The space shall have adequate lighting, ventilation and size.
4. To the extent possible under the specific circumstances, the space should be free of injurious items.
5. The monitored seclusion shall only last the period of time necessary for the physical and emotional regulation of the student.
6. Staff shall reintegrate the student or clearly communicate to the student that the student is free to leave the area in which the student is located once there is no longer a need to prevent the student’s egress.

There are only 32 rooms used for de-escalation in Denver Public Schools; this includes the NEXT Steps Program. The NEXT Steps Program is designed to support students with significant affective needs that would require additional support that a traditional school setting would not be able to offer. Of these 32 rooms across DPS, none of them have exterior locks on doors or the windows like those discovered at McAuliffe. This would jeopardize the safety of our students in the event of an emergency.

A question was also raised about the monitoring of rooms with cameras. It’s imperative for me to highlight that there are no cameras inside our classrooms. Our teachers’ union, DCTA, has been a strong advocate for ensuring the privacy of both our educators and students. The aim has always been to limit undue observations throughout the school year. The specific room at McAuliffe, which was previously used for mental health support, would have been especially exempt from having a camera due to concerns related to confidentiality.

This is an ongoing investigation, even though Kurt Dennis’ statements to the media verify that district policy was violated on a number of occasions. I still support a full investigation to understand the brevity of actions taken at McAuliffe. Thank you for your questions, and I look forwards to giving more information as it becomes available.

In Solidarity,

Vice President Auon’tai Anderson