Boston Public Schools is on high alert following a disturbing report out of the James F. Condon K-8 School, where a child with special needs was allegedly restrained using nylon straps and duct tape. The concerning allegations have prompted the school district to place staff members on leave as they dig into the incident, which has rattled the South Boston community.
In a response that has parents and advocates reeling, BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper condemned the actions that took place at the school. "The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority. This incident is deeply concerning and goes against our values and policies as a school district," Skipper expressed in a statement obtained by NBC10 Boston. Skipper's commitment was echoed in a letter from Mary Driscoll, Boston’s Region 2 school superintendent, assuring families that "this matter is being fully addressed consistent with school and district policies."
The exact details of the incident remain under wraps while the investigation is going on. Both the school district and Mayor Michelle Wu, who addressed the issue over the weekend, have made it clear that this kind of restraint technique is not in line with district protocols. "We’ll follow up directly with those families and just want to make sure that all of our young people and their caregivers and their loved ones know that school should be a place where they have opportunity to blossom and no concerns at all about safety," Wu told NBC10 Boston.
As questions swirl and the community seeks answers, Boston Public Schools assures that they are working to provide support to the student and their family affected by the ordeal. "We understand how difficult this has been for both our student and their family, and we will continue to work directly with them to provide all support they need to feel safe and continue learning at BPS," Skipper said. The school and the district have committed to ensuring every student feels secure in an environment dedicated to their growth and learning.
