Middletown school officials said on Friday that they will stop using what parents are calling “scream rooms” unless a parent gives consent to use them.
The announcement came at a news conference held the day after emotions ran high at a jam packed PTA meeting at Farm Hill Elementary in Middletown over parents frustrations with the parents.
"I have directed all administrative staff in the District to cease, immediately, using time out rooms for students who do not have specialized, legally created IEPs or 504 plans," said Dr. Michael Frechette, Supt. of Schools.
Farm Hill Elementary staff will no longer use the room they are using now, but will instead a use a suite on the second floor that will be modified for use as a safe area, according to Frechette.
School officials previously said the rooms were time-out rooms designed to calm troubled students down.
Some parents complained and said they were never notified that those rooms existed.
Frechette acknowledged that some students have banged their heads, urinated or had to be restrained in the room, but said they never needed medical treatment.
School administrators told the parents that changes will be made, including re-training staff and adding a full time school psychologist.
