Rhode Island superintendent will end dual role as special education director

Block Island (R.I.) School Superintendent Leslie Ryan, who also is the district's special education director, is resigning from the special education position after her role in creation of a locked isolation room was publicized. Ryan, who had doubled as special-education director since 2006, says she was not aware that the room ran afoul of state regulations involving the restraint of students. She will continue as superintendent, but will relinquish her special-education duties as soon as a part-time replacement is hired. After the room's existence in the basement of the Block Island School was revealed this summer, consultants determined that the room violated the state fire code because its door could be bolted from the outside. It also violated state education regulations because staff could not observe students at all times through the small window in the door.

To read The Providence Journal article, click here.