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TO: Ben Edwards <br />FROM: Cherie Fontaine <br />RE: North Thurston School District comments on time-out rooms. <br />On January•15, 1991, I spoke with Kirby Cleveland, Director <br />of Special Education for the North Thurston school district. <br />Discussion concerned the construction and safety considerations that <br />were involved in the construction of the time-out rooms in two of <br />the schools in their district. Mr. Cleveland referenced WAC <br />392.171.820, sections 2b,2c,and 2c. <br />"WAC 392.1)1.820 Aversive therapy -- Other forms -- <br />Conditions . . . <br />(2) Tsolation . . . <br />(b) The enclosure shall be ventilated, lighted, <br />and temperature controlled from inside or <br />outside for purposes of human occupancy. <br />(c) The enclosure shall permit continuous visual <br />monitoring of the student from outside the <br />enclosure. <br />(e) Either the student shall be capable of releasing <br />himself or herself from the enclosure or the <br />student shall continuously remain within view of <br />an adult responsible for supervising the stu- <br />dent." <br />North Thurston constructed a 10'X10' room with a solid door <br />having an 8"X12" wired, tempered glass window for observation. The <br />door has a spring lock mechanism that is only operational when an <br />adult stands at the door and holds the spring in place. At any <br />other time, the door is unlocked and open. <br />Ventilation is in the ceiling and connected to the <br />ventilation system of the main building leading to the outside. A <br />well -recessed light was recommended for the ceiling inside the <br />room. The heating system is a floor register of a heat pump system. <br />Mr. Cleveland had other recommendations based upon their <br />experience with the use of the rooms. Due to the violent and <br />destructive behavior of some of the students for which the room is <br />used, he recommended not to use a hung ceiling as it is too easy to <br />tear out. Also, drywall on the walls was unsuccessful since it was <br />easily destroyed. They then went to 3/4" masonite. This can also <br />be destroyed but not as easily, and a smooth, hard surface was <br />necessary for sanitary cleaning purposes. Floors are carpeted. <br />