10. Seclusion and Restraint

Emergency Safety Interventions (ESI)

The use of seclusion or physical restraint is considered to be an “emergency safety intervention (ESI)” and shall be used only when a student presents a reasonable and immediate danger of physical harm to the student or others with the present ability to effect such physical harm.

Restraint is defined to include the following:

1. “Chemical restraint” means the use of medication to control a student’s violent physical behavior or restrict a student’s freedom of movement. This term does not include prescribed treatments for a student’s medical or psychiatric condition by a person appropriately licensed to issue these treatments.
2. “Mechanical restraint” means any device or object used to limit a student’s movement. This term does not include those protective or stabilizing devices either ordered by a person appropriately licensed to issue the order for the device or required by law, any device used by a law enforcement officer in carrying out law enforcement duties, and seat belts and any other safety equipment when used to secure students during transportation.
3. “Physical restraint” means bodily force used to substantially limit a student’s movement, except that consensual, solicited, or unintentional contact and contact to provide comfort, assistance or instruction shall not be deemed to be physical restraint.

Seclusion means placement of a student for any reason other than for in-school suspension, detention, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure in a location where both of the following conditions are met:

● School personnel purposefully isolate the student; and

● The student is prevented from leaving, or has reason to believe, that the student will be prevented from leaving the area of purposeful isolation.

Restraint Restrictions

The use of chemical and mechanical restraint is prohibited, except as allowed in the above limited circumstances. Physical restraint may only be used when a student presents an immediate danger to self or others.

Reports of Emergency Safety Interventions

In the event an emergency safety intervention is used with a student the parents/guardians will be notified the same day that the ESI was used. All ESI events are reported to the Kansas State Department of Education.

For detailed information visit our website under the Students and Families tab where your will find Emergency Safety Intervention Parent Information. This information includes: a copy of the district’s (ESI) policy; a copy of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Administrative Review Process; the State Administrative Review Guide for Parents; and, important local and state contact information