The State Board of Education has taken the first step toward approving changes to the rules governing the use of seclusion rooms in Iowa schools.   There were concerns about three main issues when changes were first proposed and the board voted down the first version in August to allow time for more public input. The rule for notifying parents is changed from the current requirement that parents are notified within ten minutes to let them know within an hour after the incident is over. Ed Department deputy director, David Tilley says teachers felt that ten minute rule created some issues.

Proesch says parents said they could not always be reached at work during the day and that created issues. The rule also says parents must be notified no later than the end of the school day.