Report: Alleged abuses at Lynn schools

By Robin Kaminski / The Daily Item / March 26, 2010

LYNN - Allegations of abuse and neglect taking place in city alternative schools have prompted a probe by the Disability Law Center (DLC), resulting in a 24-page report detailing a lengthy list of problems.

Complaints involving excessive use of restraint and seclusion have been reported by parents of children attending the Washington Early Elementary School, the Washington Upper Elementary School and Fecteau-Leary Junior and Senior High School to the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts (CLCM) on Union Street.

Shortly after the complaints were made, an investigation into those charges was launched in October 2007, according to DLC, the state's protection and advocacy system, after it was contacted by the CLCM.

DLC Attorney Matthew Engel said the investigation found a clear pattern of excessive use of restraint, out of school suspensions and the filing of criminal charges by staff at the schools.

"Lynn's excessive reliance on these punitive and often confrontational interventions contravened research-based best practices and often served to increase behaviors at issue," he said.

Engel said while DLC's report finds fault with behavioral intervention practices within the Lynn alternative public schools, it also acknowledges constructive steps being taken by administration and staff in Lynn.

"This includes the decision to work with a consultant from the May Center, who has expertise in the field of positive behavioral supports for students with behavioral difficulties," he said. "Despite the encouraging developments, DLC's report recommends that Lynn take further steps to reach out to parents who have complained about the treatment of their children."

One such parent said she heard her son was "hog tied" in class and shuddered at the thought of him struggling on the floor, while another student said his arm was twisted while staff tried to force him into a crisis room.

In response to the allegations, Superintendent Catherine Latham issued a 20 page letter to Engel, which expressed concern for misrepresentations, inaccuracies and exaggerations in the parents' complaints, especially since many refused to identify themselves.

"A review of the individual complaints by parents concerning the way their children were treated, found, in a number of cases by the Lynn Alternative Schools (LAS), different interpretations of events and missing information," she said. "It is disappointing that the parents were not willing to disclose their names so that these complaints could be addressed more effectively."

Dr. William Halikias, who spent two days observing and talking to staff at the schools, recommended that the school system offer parents the opportunity of seeking an alternative educational environment if grievances are not resolved; implement a system for addressing critical incidents; develop an in-school suspension program; and include at least two school social workers into its programs.

In response, Latham said only three criminal complaints have been made by staff against students during the last 13 years at the Washington Upper Elementary School, while two complaints have been filed this year at the Fecteau. She also made note that an in-school suspension plan has been created at Fecteau, and that Washington has had one since 2001. In addition, Latham said the May Institute will continue to provide support in the next steps of the development of a school-wide, positive behavior support intervention plan.