Give input at upcoming Chapter 103 meetings

Educators, parents and other stakeholders are invited to give input on proposed revisions to Iowa Administrative Code chapter 281-103 (“Chapter 103”) at six meetings scheduled across the state in September and October. 

The proposed revisions, which sought to clarify the appropriate use of seclusion and restraint in schools while ensuring practical use for educators, were voted down by the State Board of Education in August so that more feedback could be collected on four issues within the proposed rules: seclusion room requirements, parent notification, training requirements, and the term “serious physical injury.” (Please see 281-103.7(1), 281-103.7(2), and 281-103.8 of the proposed rules.)

These parts of the proposed rules will be the focus of the fall stakeholder meetings.

The Iowa Department of Education will facilitate the meetings, make further revisions to the proposed rules based on feedback, and will take revisions back to the State Board of Education later this year with a recommendation to start the process of rules adoption.

The meetings will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Meeting dates and locations are as follows. For more information about the meetings, contact tana.mullen@iowa.gov.

Written comments about the rules may be emailed to nicole.proesch@iowa.gov.

Tuesday, September 24
Green Hills Area Education Agency - Creston
Conference Room
257 Swan St., Creston

Wednesday, September 25
Heartland Area Education Agency - Johnston
Conference Room 152A, 152B & 152C
6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Thursday, September 26
Grant Wood Area Education Agency - Cedar Rapids
Winter/Spring Room
4401 Sixth St. SW, Cedar Rapids

Tuesday, October 1
Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency - Pocahontas
North and South Twin Lakes Conference Rooms
500 NE 6th St., Pocahontas

Wednesday, October 2
Central Rivers Area Education Agency - Cedar Falls
Conference Room B
1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls

Thursday, October 3
Great Prairie Area Education Agency - Ottumwa
Ottumwa Community School District
Media Center
812 Chester Ave, Ottumwa

If you have any questions about the rulemaking process or about these regional meetings please contact Nicole Proesch at 515-281-8661 or nicole.proesch@iowa.gov.

Source: https://educateiowa.gov/resources/legal-resources/legal-lessons/give-input-upcoming-chapter-103-meetings-september-2019.