Audit: JCPS has ‘code of silence’ in reporting restraints

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – An auditor says he believes the number of restraints used on students in Jefferson County Public Schools is underreported.

The Courier-Journal reports (http://cjky.it/1TFbxwW) auditing firm Dean Dorton found in a report released Tuesday that JCPS has a “code of silence” related to reporting the use of seclusion and restraint on students.

Last school year, students were physically held down or confined to a room over 4,000 times, but less than 200 of those got properly reported to the state.

JCPS Superintendent Donna Hargens said the district had known about the data discrepancy since last school year and that she notified the state when she found out about the problem.

Auditor Jim Tencza said he recommends that better processes be put in place to track the use of restraint and seclusion.

___

Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.