Virginia Beach Bans Seclusion Room Use in School Buildings

School Board votes 11-0 to prohibit the practice, citing concerns over student safety and treatment.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Virginia Beach School Board has voted unanimously to ban the use of seclusion rooms in all school buildings within the city's school system. The decision comes after a lawsuit was filed alleging mistreatment of an 11-year-old student with autism who later died. While the specific school involved did not have full seclusion rooms, the School Board decided to take a firm stance against the practice across the district.

Why it matters

The use of seclusion rooms in schools has been a controversial and concerning practice, with many advocates arguing they can be traumatic for students, particularly those with special needs. This decision by the Virginia Beach School Board signals a shift towards prioritizing student safety and wellbeing over disciplinary measures that isolate and confine children.

The details

Prior to the ban, there were five seclusion rooms at two schools in Virginia Beach: three at Renaissance Academy and two at Windsor Woods Elementary School. The School Board Attorney, Kami Lannetti, confirmed that the new policy prohibits the use of seclusion rooms by any entity, including contractors, in school buildings.

  • The Virginia Beach School Board voted 11-0 to ban seclusion room use last week.
  • The decision came after a Virginia Beach mother filed a $150 million lawsuit against Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP), alleging her 11-year-old son with autism was mistreated at Pembroke Elementary School just days before he died.

The players

Virginia Beach School Board

The governing body of the Virginia Beach school system that voted unanimously to ban the use of seclusion rooms in all school buildings.

Kami Lannetti

The School Board Attorney for Virginia Beach who confirmed the new policy prohibits seclusion room use by any entity, including contractors, in school buildings.

Virginia Beach Special Education Advocacy Committee

The committee that advised the School Board to ban the use of seclusion rooms in the district.

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What they’re saying

“I hope we will continue to have dialogue, because I believe that this is a step in a right direction, but I would like to see us get to a point where we have no seclusion for any reason.”

— Dr. Alveta Green, School Board Member (13newsnow.com)

What’s next

The School Board's decision to ban seclusion rooms is a significant step, but the district has indicated it hopes to continue discussions and work towards eliminating the use of seclusion entirely in the future.

The takeaway

This decision by the Virginia Beach School Board underscores the growing recognition that seclusion rooms can be harmful to students, particularly those with special needs. It represents a shift towards prioritizing student wellbeing and safety over disciplinary measures that isolate and confine children, setting an example for other school districts to follow.