To the Edmonton Public Schools Board of Trustees,

We, the undersigned, call upon the Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB) Board of Trustees to revoke all funding allocated for the construction of new seclusion rooms planned for the summer of 2025.

Background information:

Commitment to Phase Out Seclusion Rooms & Lack of Decisive Action: In 2019, EPSB made a public commitment to phase out the use of seclusion rooms. However, there has been no concrete progress toward fulfilling this commitment. In 6 years, EPSB has failed to take any meaningful steps to eliminate the use of seclusion rooms or set a clear timeline for the end of their use.  
Sources: How it started  vs How it's going

Ongoing Construction of Seclusion Rooms & Excessive Financial Costs: Each year, EPSB continues to construct new seclusion rooms. The Division spends an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 to construct a single seclusion room, redirecting funds that could be better used to support inclusive and evidence-based strategies for student regulation and support.
Source: What it costs (4:19-4:21). 

Amendment to Revoke Funding & Board’s Decision to Continue Construction: On May 24 2024, Trustee Saadiq Sumar introduced an amendment to the division's annual budget to revoke funding for seclusion room construction, an estimated cost savings of approximately $900,000. Despite the proposed savings and the Division's commitment to phase out seclusion rooms, all but 2 of the Board of Trustees voted against this amendment, allowing the construction to proceed.
Source: The vote (Pg. 2)

Wasteful Spending and Misalignment with Division Goals:  Of the 31 seclusion rooms built in summer 2024, 25 were decommissioned before or during the school year—meaning schools removed the door and committed not to use them. This wasteful spending contradicts EPSB’s commitment to reduce seclusion room usage and proves that schools can support students effectively without them. A true commitment to ending seclusion must include halting new room construction entirely. 
Source: Complied FOIP data

The Request:

We urge the Board of Trustees to uphold its commitment by revoking all funding for new seclusion rooms and redirecting those funds to proactive, evidence-based student supports such as staff training, mental health resources, and alternative regulation strategies.

As elected Trustees overseeing a $1.35 billion budget, you have the authority to decide whether public funds support seclusion room construction. We ask that this issue be brought to a vote at the next board meeting on April 9, 2025 to ensure EPSB’s budget aligns with its stated values.

This is a simple, necessary step toward ending seclusion room use and prioritizing inclusive student support.

Undersigned,

Sarah Doll, Keltie Marshall, and Shantel Sherwood

As well as concerned community members, students, advocates, families, and disabled students attending Edmonton Public Schools.