Virginia Beach School Board bans the use of seclusion rooms

February 26, 2026 Guest User

Virginia Beach School Board Member Alveta Green listens to Julie Xirau speak Tuesday during a school board meeting. Xirau is the mother of Joshua Sikes, an 11-year-old student with autism who died in November 2024 days after being placed in a makeshift seclusion area. The board voted on a new policy to limit seclusion but didn’t outright ban the practice. *Photo by John-Henry Doucette // VCIJ*

Virginia Beach reported the highest use of student seclusions in the state. A new policy limits the controversial practice for children in crisis.

Virginia Beach poised to change seclusion policy

February 23, 2026 Guest User

Virginia Beach School Board Chairperson Kathleen Brown said the proposed policy could address concerns of parents and be reviewed if there are unintended consequences. *Photo by John-Henry Doucette // VCIJ*

The Virginia Beach School Board may ban the use of seclusion rooms in city school buildings, a step to curtail the controversial practice of isolating troubled students in emergencies.

Key panel endorses ban on secluding Virginia Beach students

June 17, 2025 Guest User

Meghan Ashburn, chairperson of the Virginia Beach Special Education Advisory Committee, is seen during a committee meeting on May 12. The committee spoke with city schools officials and the executive director of Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs about seclusion and restraint policy during the meeting. *File Photo by John-Henry Doucette.*

A special education advisory committee wants Beach Schools to stop a controversial practice typically used on children with special needs