An upstate New York school district has come under fire after photographs of wooden boxes used to isolate students emerged on social media this week.
The Salmon River Central School District, located near the Canadian border in an area serving mostly Native American students, placed its superintendent on administrative leave and launched an investigation following the discovery of the devices. Photos showing a padded wooden enclosure with bare walls spread across Facebook on Monday, posted by Chrissy Jacobs, a former school board member.
Timeout Boxes in School
District officials initially denied that the box had been used with students. However, Superintendent Stanley Harper later admitted that two additional wooden boxes had been constructed and used as "timeout" isolation areas in district schools. He stated they were in use for several weeks before being removed, according to the New York Times.
At a community meeting held Tuesday night, multiple parents came forward saying their children had been placed inside the boxes as punishment. One parent reported that his eight-year-old son, who is nonverbal and autistic, was put in the box located in his special education classroom. The child communicated to his family that a friend had also been placed in the box.
The situation has sparked particular concern because of its connection to Native American history. More than 60 percent of students in the district identify as Native American or live near the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. The practice echoes painful memories of residential boarding schools where Native American children were historically confined and mistreated.
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council called the boxes "inhumane" and demanded accountability from school leadership. The council expressed that the incident had reopened historical wounds for the community. Governor Kathy Hochul called the discovery "highly disturbing."
Widespread Backlash Online
In response, New York State's education department ordered the district to immediately remove all remaining seclusion devices and announced it would conduct visits to ensure compliance. The state is also conducting its own investigation into the matter, Yahoo News reported.
Several school administrators, including the principal and director of special education, have been placed on administrative leave pending the independent investigation. The school board issued an apology, acknowledging the pain caused to families and the community.
Education experts have long raised concerns about isolation as a disciplinary method, noting that it can harm children's mental health and fail to address underlying behavioral issues. The use of seclusion in public schools is prohibited under New York State law, making the district's actions a serious violation of state regulations, as per Special Education Today.
