***This article has been updated with data on restraints in Marblehead elementary schools.
ALSO Read what the Marblehead Education Association is demanding from the School Committee and interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness HERE.
Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness this afternoon announced that four staff members at the Glover School have been placed on paid administrative leave while the district reviews its student restraint policies.
A press release sent late Wednesday reads, “Recent incidents involving the restraint of a general education student at the Glover Elementary School have prompted the district to review when student restraints should be used, the procedures used during this process and how restraints are reported at both the district and state level.”
The press release continues: “State guidelines allow staff who have received proper training and certification to restrain students, but only as a last resort in specific situations when a student’s behavior poses a threat of assault, or imminent, serious, physical harm to self or others.
“To ensure that the administrative review is thorough and unbiased, the district has secured the services of an outside evaluator, an attorney who specializes in education policy, who will work closely with the district. During the review process, four staff members at Glover School are on temporary paid administrative leave. This is not a punitive action, but it is necessary during this process.”
According to the Massachusetts Department of Education, six Glover School students were restrained a total of 42 times in 2021-2022 school year, resulting in 12 injuries. At the Brown School, seven students were restrained a total of 35 times, resulting in seven injuries.
Veterans and Marblehead High School had zero cases of restraints in 2021-2022. According to DOE, Village reported fewer than six student restraints, or the number of injuries to staff and students was between 1 and 5.
In Swampscott, by comparison, the only school that reported student restraints was Stanley, which had fewer than six, or 1 to 5 injuries.
Earlier in the day, McGuinness sent an email to Glover School parents reporting that a student experienced a medical emergency and local emergency crews responded. It is unclear whether that is related to the restraint incidents.
McGuinness also sent an email to Veterans School parents saying that Principal Matt Fox would be moving temporarily to Glover.
“Due to the unexpected medical leave of Principal Hope Doran at Glover Elementary School, we have had to make some adjustments to our schools,” McGuinness wrote.
When asked if Doran was injured at school today, McGuinness answered in a text, “Absolutely not!”
Assistant Superintendent Julia Ferreira, who worked at Vets previously, will take over as acting principal there.
“The district pledges to move quickly and efficiently, and the district has plans and policies in place to ensure that there is no disruption to the school day or to student progress,” the district press release continued.
“The safety and security of all of our students and staff is our top priority,” McGuinness said. “The district will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that all of our schools are safe and welcoming learning environments for all.”
The release added: “The district understands that this is a very sensitive matter and that parents and members of the community are likely to have questions about this. Interim Superintendent McGuinness is asking the community for patience and to allow the administrative review process to run to completion.
“The district will be transparent and forthcoming, insofar as the law allows. This includes making the administrative review document(s) available upon request when completed, with only legally-required redactions. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
The School Committee, including McGuinness, are set to meet Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at Marblehead High School.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.