Virginia Beach Considers Banning Seclusion Rooms in Schools

School board reviews policy after lawsuit alleges mistreatment of student with autism

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Virginia Beach City Public Schools board is reviewing a proposed policy that would prohibit the use of seclusion rooms in schools, even those used by contractors. The move comes after a $150 million lawsuit was filed against a cooperative educational program, alleging a student with autism was mistreated in a seclusion room at Pembroke Elementary School just days before his death.

Why it matters

The use of seclusion rooms in schools has been a controversial issue, with concerns raised about their potential for abuse and the impact on students, especially those with disabilities. This policy review in Virginia Beach reflects a broader debate around finding the right balance between student safety and alternative disciplinary methods.

The details

Currently, there are five seclusion rooms at two schools in Virginia Beach - three at Renaissance Academy and two at Windsor Woods Elementary School. Under the proposed policy, these rooms would no longer be used solely for seclusion, though they could still be utilized in special circumstances to prevent a student from harming themselves or others. The school district is exploring alternative methods to address disruptive student behavior.

  • In January 2026, the Virginia Beach School Board decided to send the seclusion room policy for further review.
  • Through January 2026, seclusion had been used 96 times for 22 different students by the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP).

The players

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

The public school district serving the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP)

An educational cooperative that provides services to students with special needs in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas.

Josh Sykes

An 11-year-old student with autism who died days after an alleged incident at Pembroke Elementary School involving a seclusion room.

Kami Lannetti

The School Board Attorney for Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Roni Myers-Daub

The Executive Director of Programs for Exceptional Children in Virginia Beach.

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What they’re saying

“If we have a situation where a child is out of control, dangerous or getting hurt, we still have the ability to take the child and isolate the child in there because that's a special circumstance, so that will still be allowed. What we aren't going to have is rooms that are used for nothing but seclusion. We'll just have to find other methods by which to deal with those students.”

— Kami Lannetti, School Board Attorney (13newsnow.com)

“What is going to happen with students if a seclusion room cannot be used? We're talking about students with a lot of needs, and I'm not saying that I agree with seclusion rooms. What I'm saying is what happens if a student is throwing desks or chairs across a classroom? What happens and what does a teacher do in response to that?”

— Kim Melnyk, School Board Member (13newsnow.com)

“Seclusion can still be used to prevent a student from inflicting serious harm or injuries to themselves or others, or to quell a disturbance. The difference is that seclusion rooms themselves would no longer be used.”

— Roni Myers-Daub, Executive Director of Programs for Exceptional Children (13newsnow.com)

“You have to make sure students are protected and staff are protected. I feel like we owe it to our students and our families to put forth the effort to try to do something different. If we find there are unintended consequences, then we will need to manage those.”

— Kathleen Brown, School Board Chair (13newsnow.com)

What’s next

The Virginia Beach School Board will continue to review the proposed policy banning seclusion rooms and explore alternative disciplinary methods for students with behavioral issues.

The takeaway

This policy review in Virginia Beach reflects a broader debate around the use of seclusion rooms in schools, with concerns about their potential for abuse and impact on vulnerable students. The school district is seeking to find a balance between student safety and more constructive approaches to addressing disruptive behavior.