Photos of padded wooden boxes used to confine students in a rural New York district sparked outrage, according to the Times Union. The 5-foot-tall “timeout” boxes appeared in elementary schools near the Canadian border, including one on the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Reservation. Parents say some children, including autistic and non-verbal students, may have been held inside.
The Salmon River Central School District admitted it used three boxes but said they’ve now been removed. The state Education Department ordered the district to stop isolating students and will visit to ensure compliance. One parent has reportedly filed a criminal complaint.
Gov. Kathy Hochul demanded a full investigation. The superintendent was reassigned, and multiple staff members were placed on leave. Native families called the boxes a disturbing echo of abuse in historic residential schools.
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