A school promised not to send kids to the ER for misbehavior – but hospital trips only increased

— Three times a week, on average, a police car pulls up to a school in Wicomico County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “I think that’s the fundamental crux of things.” Schools in Wicomico County agreed not to misuse emergency petitions as part of a 2017 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. ‘TRYING TO GET HIM OUT OF SCHOOL’ In interviews, dozens of students, parents, educators, lawyers and advocates for students with disabilities in Wicomico County said a lack of resources and trained staff, combined with a punitive culture in some schools, are behind the misuse of emergency petitions. A spokeswoman from the Wicomico County Public Schools said emergency petitions “are used in the most extreme, emergency situations where the life and safety of the student or others are at risk.” “ are not used for disciplinary purposes and frequently do not result from a student’s behaviors,” Tracy Sahler said in an email. It’s like they give up on them.” Wicomico school officials said ongoing professional development for staff includes the appropriate use of emergency petitions.