DOJ: St. Louis Special School District Violated Disability Act

Investigation finds district overused seclusion, restraint on students with disabilities

Feb. 23, 2026 at 7:19pm

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The U.S. Department of Justice found that the Special School District of St. Louis County violated the Americans with Disabilities Act through its excessive use of seclusion and restraint on students, including incidents where students were secluded for minor infractions and engaged in self-harm while isolated. The DOJ is requiring the district to take significant remedial measures to address the issues and comply with the law.

Why it matters

The findings highlight ongoing concerns about the treatment of students with disabilities in schools, particularly the overuse of disciplinary tactics like seclusion and restraint that can be traumatic and harmful. This case underscores the need for stronger oversight and accountability to ensure schools are providing a safe, supportive environment for all students.

The details

According to the DOJ report, students at the district's Northview High School and Litzsinger School were frequently placed in seclusion, with one Northview student secluded 186 times in a single year. The report said every student at the smaller Litzsinger School was secluded at least once during the investigation. The district also restrained students more than 700 times, including over 400 instances of the more dangerous supine restraints. One student was restrained 372 times for a total of almost 35 hours.

  • The DOJ investigation spanned the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
  • The district received the DOJ's findings letter this morning.

The players

Special School District of St. Louis County

The public school district that serves students with disabilities in St. Louis County, Missouri.

Michael Maclin

Superintendent of the Special School District of St. Louis County.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that conducted the two-year investigation into the district's use of seclusion and restraint practices.

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What they’re saying

“Student safety and well-being remain our top priority. We take these concerns seriously and are committed to ensuring our practices support students' safety, learning, and dignity.”

— Michael Maclin, Superintendent, Special School District of St. Louis County

What’s next

The Department of Justice said the district needs to take "significant remedial measures" to address the issues, including ending the use of seclusion and certain restraint practices, improving documentation and oversight, and providing compensatory services to affected students. If the district does not comply, the DOJ said it could file a lawsuit to force the school district to abide by the law.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring students with disabilities receive the support and accommodations they need in schools. It underscores the importance of robust oversight, accountability, and a focus on trauma-informed, student-centered approaches to address behavioral issues rather than punitive measures like seclusion and restraint.