The New Westminster school district will implement changes to its use of segregated "safe rooms" for students with special needs after meeting with parents last month.
As a result of the meeting, the district has affirmed certain standards: safe rooms may only be used if in a student's individual education plan; use of the spaces is voluntary; and rooms are visible to the outside and doors may not be locked, says a letter to parents from district parent advisory council vice-chairperson Maya Russell.
"You may be aware that at DPAC's (district parent advisory council) July meeting with the district, we raised the issue of personal workspaces/quiet rooms, and the need to take a close look at the use of these spaces in light of serious concerns raised by parents," Russell wrote in an update to parents. "The district agreed to a joint task force, to which staff reps were added as well. That group met on Aug. 30, and I'm happy to report it was a long and productive conversation."
District parent council treasurer Heather Burke attended the meeting, along with Russell, on behalf of parents. School board chair Michael Ewen, district administrators, union presidents and representatives from the principals' and vice-principals' association also attended the meeting.
"Your DPAC reps raised the concerns shared by parents," Russell noted. "We identified gaps and recommended changes to raise the standard of policy, monitoring and reporting. There was agreement from everyone participating that we need to document the use of these rooms and make sure everyone is familiar with the standards for use, as well as develop more precise guidelines." A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Sept. 19 to continue working on improving the practice, Maya wrote.
"Since our meeting, the school board has also asked for a report on the topic, so we're happy that parents' concerns have already led to greater scrutiny," she wrote.
Russell also urged parents to bring concerns forward so they can be addressed with the district.
The district's controversial use of the rooms upset some parents and community members, including Faith Bodnar, executive director of Inclusion B.C. After The Record published its story on safe rooms, two parents with first-hand experience - their children had been placed in the rooms - wrote letters to the editor expressing their outrage over the district's use of the rooms.
Local parent Wendy Harris told The Record in July that she had serious concerns about the district's use the "safe rooms" and questioned whether the rooms would be used more frequently because of cuts to support staff - a move the district made to help it balance the budget this year.
Russell and Harris could not be reached at press time for comment.
