The Salmon River Central School District Board of Education has officially launched an investigation into allegations of student mistreatment and temporarily removed several leaders from their roles.Top video: See previous coverageThe Board of Education’s investigation comes just a day after the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council called for leaders to investigate allegations that students with special needs in the district were being placed inside “inhumane” wooden boxes, which were allegedly being used as calming stations.The council also asked the board to issue a vote of no confidence” in Salmon River Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stanley Harper.Photos of the boxes have circulated heavily on social media, but Harper denied that the devices were being used.The investigation, which officially began on Thursday, will be conducted by a law firm. The board said it is also cooperating with a New York State Department of Education investigation into those allegations.On Wednesday, the board also voted to reassign Harper to home duties as the investigation gets underway.Several others, including Salmon River Director of Special Education Allen Gravell, St. Regis Mohawk School Principal Alison Benedict and elementary school teacher Karrie Haverstock were placed on administrative leave by the district until further notice. NYSED officials will be visiting the district this week to confirm that all of the boxes have been removed. They will follow up with another site visit to ensure that “alternative appropriate calming spaces are available for students that comply with state regulations.”The board “expressed its deepest regret” for the situation and vowed to support “meaningful, actionable changes to ensure that situations like this never occur again.””We are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community,” said Board President Jason Brockway in a prepared statement. “We acknowledge how this situation has evoked very deep emotions. We understand that for many in our community this incident has reopened historical wounds and trauma connected to the mistreatment of Native children. We hear you. We are humbled by the public response, and we feel the pain and fear expressed by our community.”The board is also committed to cooperating with the NYSED investigation.All classes at Salmon River schools were shifted to remote learning on Thursday as the investigation began.On Friday, New York state Sen. Dan Stec issued a statement about the allegations, saying he was “apalled” about what he called “timeout boxes.”Stec said he has reached out to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa.“The use of restraint and seclusion in schools should not have ever happened,” the statement read in part. “There must be a thorough investigation and accountability, and I’ve been reassured by Commissioner Rosa that that will happen.”
The Salmon River Central School District Board of Education has officially launched an investigation into allegations of student mistreatment and temporarily removed several leaders from their roles.
Top video: See previous coverage
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The Board of Education’s investigation comes just a day after the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council called for leaders to investigate allegations that students with special needs in the district were being placed inside “inhumane” wooden boxes, which were allegedly being used as calming stations.
The council also asked the board to issue a vote of no confidence” in Salmon River Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stanley Harper.
Photos of the boxes have circulated heavily on social media, but Harper denied that the devices were being used.
The investigation, which officially began on Thursday, will be conducted by a law firm. The board said it is also cooperating with a New York State Department of Education investigation into those allegations.
On Wednesday, the board also voted to reassign Harper to home duties as the investigation gets underway.
Several others, including Salmon River Director of Special Education Allen Gravell, St. Regis Mohawk School Principal Alison Benedict and elementary school teacher Karrie Haverstock were placed on administrative leave by the district until further notice.
NYSED officials will be visiting the district this week to confirm that all of the boxes have been removed. They will follow up with another site visit to ensure that “alternative appropriate calming spaces are available for students that comply with state regulations.”
The board “expressed its deepest regret” for the situation and vowed to support “meaningful, actionable changes to ensure that situations like this never occur again.”
“We are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community,” said Board President Jason Brockway in a prepared statement. “We acknowledge how this situation has evoked very deep emotions. We understand that for many in our community this incident has reopened historical wounds and trauma connected to the mistreatment of Native children. We hear you. We are humbled by the public response, and we feel the pain and fear expressed by our community.”
The board is also committed to cooperating with the NYSED investigation.
All classes at Salmon River schools were shifted to remote learning on Thursday as the investigation began.
On Friday, New York state Sen. Dan Stec issued a statement about the allegations, saying he was “apalled” about what he called “timeout boxes.”
Stec said he has reached out to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa.
“The use of restraint and seclusion in schools should not have ever happened,” the statement read in part. “There must be a thorough investigation and accountability, and I’ve been reassured by Commissioner Rosa that that will happen.”
