Native kids with disabilities were held in wooden boxes. Sweeping reforms are coming

"“It was so unfathomable that our children were seeing these boxes and hearing children screaming in these boxes,” said Herne, a parent and a member of the tribal community. “I cried, I threw up and I immediately grabbed my laptop and said, What are we going to do?” Local school officials later confirmed that at least two boxes had been built and used by staff in November and December of 2025.”"

"“According to the report obtained by NPR, the state's investigation found at least five elementary-age students with disabilities were confined in a 'wooden box for a timeout.' 'They were subjected to seclusion when they were placed in 'stations' with the door held shut,' states the May 8 order. The report, which offers no details about the children's ages or ethnicity, found that 'station' was the district's euphemism for 'a wooden box.'”"

"“It also concludes that parents of children held in the boxes weren't notified, a violation of state regulations. According to the education department, teachers and other school personnel should have been 'prohibited from using corporal punishment, aversive interventions, and seclusion against a student.' That order, known as a compliance order plan hasn't been released publicly and doesn't recommend dismissal of staff who created and carried out the policy.”"

Rumors circulated that special education teachers in the Salmon River Central School District confined schoolchildren with disabilities, including Akwesasne Mohawk children, in wooden boxes. Local officials later confirmed that at least two boxes were built and used in November and December of 2025. A New York State education department investigation found at least five elementary-age students with disabilities were confined in a wooden box for timeout. Students were subjected to seclusion when placed in “stations” with the door held shut, and “station” was identified as a euphemism for the wooden box. The investigation concluded that parents were not notified, violating state regulations. The state issued an order requiring sweeping reforms and directing that staff be prohibited from corporal punishment, aversive interventions, and seclusion.

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