New York Orders Reform at Salmon River School After Disabled Native Children Were Confined in Wooden Boxes
Updated
Updated · NPR · May 14
New York Orders Reform at Salmon River School After Disabled Native Children Were Confined in Wooden Boxes
11 articles · Updated · NPR · May 14
New York state officials ordered broad reforms to the Salmon River school district's special education program after finding young Native children with disabilities had been confined in wooden boxes.
State officials said parents were not notified about the confinements, making the case both a special-education failure and a breakdown in basic oversight.
The order targets a public school district on the Salmon River, signaling state intervention into how disabled students were handled and how families were informed.
The case puts renewed scrutiny on the treatment of Native children with disabilities in public schools and on safeguards meant to prevent abusive restraint practices.
Are confinement boxes in schools an isolated mistake or a symptom of a national crisis?
How can communities protect children when official reports contradict their experiences of abuse?
Beyond seclusion, what does a truly supportive classroom for students with disabilities look like?
"Locked Away: The Salmon River Central School District 'Timeout Box' Controversy, Community Outrage, and Calls for Reform"
Overview
In May 2026, the Salmon River Central School District is dealing with the fallout from confirmed use of wooden 'timeout' boxes for special needs students. These bare-walled, padded boxes were used for discipline and, in some cases, as places where a nonverbal child with autism ate and did classwork. The situation, described by an attorney as 'extremely horrific,' led to state-level investigations, legal actions, and leadership changes. The New York State Education Department launched a thorough investigation, while the district faces ongoing scrutiny and works to address deep community concerns and systemic issues.