Principal Takes Leave of Absence Amid 'Scream Rooms' Controversy

The principal of the elementary school whose use of seclusionary or "scream" rooms for children with behavioral issues came under fire in the last two weeks announced Thursday she is taking a leave of absence to spend time with family.

Five-year Principal Patricia A. Girard issued a letter addressed to the school's families that effective Jan. 30 she would be leaving the school. 

"I am confident that our school community will heal and become stronger than ever. I am sure that whomever takes my place will be briefed and work closely with staff and central office to implement the action steps underway to address recent concerns," Girard wrote.

Reached by telephone late Wednesday, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Frechette confirmed Girard is on an "indefinite" leave. "We are in the process of getting an interim principal."

Asked who will take over Monday, Frechette said information would be forthcoming. He would not confirm if Girard was asked to step down, but said central office "accepted" her leave of absence. Frechette indicated the letter was sent home with children Wednesday.

Her departure comes on the heels the Jan. 13 announcement by school administrators that they would no longer

the use of them, saying they provided a safe place for children to calm down, regroup and then re-enter the classroom.

At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, School Superintendent Dr. Michael Frechette once again faced an angry crowd demanding answers to reported discipline problems at Farm Hill.      

One after another parent pressed Frechette during the two-hour, standing-room-only meeting to disclose all the facts regarding the school’s practice of isolating certain students with behavioral problems in such seclusion areas.

A group of attorneys and advocates for children with disabilities filed a complaint last week with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, charging that the practice of using the seclusion room chiefly or exclusively for special education children  at Farm Hill School violates the students' civil rights.

Jeanne Milstein, the state's child advocate, has

On Jan. 12, the West Hartford-based Education Advocacy group filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights against the Middletown Public Schools.