News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 25, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke issues directive to promote student safety at Washington School for the Deaf

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today issued a directive to the Washington School for the Deaf to improve policies and procedures relating to student safety in the residence program.

The governor issued the directive based upon two independent reviews of the school by Dr. Henry Klopping, Superintendent of the California School for the Deaf, and Dr. Kenneth D. Randall, Superintendent, Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind.

The governor requested the independent reviews earlier this year following an incident of alleged sexual abuse at the school.

In the directive to Superintendent Aron, Locke noted, "I believe these actions will help make the school safer for all students. I ask that you continue to work collaboratively with my office, legislators and the school's parents, staff and Board of Trustees as we continue to seek ways to make the school programs stronger."

"Keeping children safe wherever they live must remain a priority for us all, and I know you share that commitment," the governor added.

In his directive, Locke ordered administrative actions to:

* Strengthen the school's admission policy

* Develop a written expulsion policy in consultation with the Attorney General's office

* Create a residential program staffing model

* Produce a training curriculum for staff on emotional and behavioral disturbances in children, in partnership with a local community children's mental health provider or similar expert
Implement a school-wide physical and sexual abuse training curriculum for students

* Strengthen the communications system between educational staff and residence life staff and between students and their families

* Refine the student behavioral management policy

* Review the school's present incident documentation and procedures with staff from the Attorney General's office, the Division of Licensed Resources and the Vancouver Child Abuse Intervention Center

* Work with budget staff to incorporate any needed safety enhancement items into the school's supplemental budget request
The governor requested that the directives be implemented by Jan. 1, 2002.

In addition to requiring quarterly written reports on progress in implementing the items in the directive, Locke will appoint an independent monitoring panel, composed of community members with expertise in different aspects of child safety, to work with the school on the implementation of items in his directive.

In addition to administrative actions, Locke has asked his staff to work with the school and the Legislature to explore options for a revised governance structure at the school. The governor also directed the Division of Licensed Resources to conduct annual reviews of the school's operations and staffing of the residential program, even though the school is not required to be licensed.

The governor noted that he may add items to the directive upon completion of another review by the Office of the Family and Children's Ombudsman. That report is expected in mid-summer.
Related Links:
- Washington School for the Deaf


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