School Starts in Virginia With New Law to Protect Students From Motorized Partitions

DC-Area Schools That Have Motorized Room Partitions

Click on the dots to see where room partitions are located.

Source: Information provided by school districts.
Note: D.C. Public Schools was unable to provide information on room partitions. Culpeper County Public Schools, Manassas Park City Schools and Spotsylvania County Public Schools said they do not have any partitions.

The school year in Virginia begins with new protection for students from powerful, motorized room partitions.

The Wesley Charles Lipicky Act is named after a Fairfax County third grader who died while helping a teacher operate a motorized partition in his school.

Click on the dots on the map above to see where partitions can be found at schools in your area.

After his death, a News4 consumer Investigation revealed most schools in our region didn't have formal policies or training requirements for the use of the electronic dividers, so Virginia lawmakers took action.

The new law prohibits schools from operating a motorized partition when students are in the room or any adjoining rooms unless the partition has a safety sensor installed with it. It also requires annual training for operators of the partitions.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand said the county is in full compliance with the new law.

“We've asked principals to do the training with the school staff at the school site, with support from our office of safety and security,” he said. “Most of the training as I understand it, has been hands on.”

The county is also in the process of adding safety sensors called SafePath to all 127 of its motorized partitions. If anyone or anything gets in the path of the motorized partition with SafePath while it is moving, the wall will stop.

“Those sensors are going to be able to have that extra layer of safety, that I think we all need so we can make sure something like this will not happen again to anybody,” Brabrand said.

He said he'll never forget the day he got the call about Wesley.

“The first thing I heard was that there had been an incident around the partition and a student had been hurt,” he said.

About an hour later, he learned Wesley would not survive.

“As a parent, I know,” he said. “I have my kids in our schools each and every day, and I trust the folks there to keep them safe and secure. So I felt it personally as a parent.”

Brabrand said he reached out to Wesley's parents after the accident, but they never responded.

“I don’t think we can say we are sorry enough for the tragedy that happened,” he said. “What we can do is try to do everything we can to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again, and I am hopeful that that is going to be the case here for Fairfax County Public Schools.”

The new law also directs the Virginia Department of Education to provide guidance on best practices to school districts. News4 checked in several times, and despite the law going into effect July 1, the department still hasn’t sent that guidance to schools.

We also reached out to all school districts in Northern Virginia. So far, Fairfax County is the only one adding the sensors to their partitions.

Here's what D.C.-area school districts told us about motorized partitions:

DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS

D.C. does not have any motorized partitions in its schools.

Policy: Any motorized partitions in DCPS buildings are controlled and operated by designated staff with restricted key access. Designated staff are required to monitor all areas of the partition during opening or closing.

VIRGINIA

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

We no longer have any operational motorized partitions.

ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

We no longer install motorized partitions though 5 schools currently have them. The partition at Drew (Elementary) has motion sensors that will stop it from operating if something is in its path.

APS has the following safety procedures for the use and operation of motorized gymnasium partition doors:

• Partition doors may only be operated by trained staff. Examples of designated and trained staff include head custodians, building managers, athletic directors, and night custodians.
• Two adults must be present and in position at opposite ends of the partition door when the door is in operation.
• No students are permitted to assist with operating a motorized partition door and students are not permitted to be in the gymnasium while motorized doors are in operation.
• Keys to automated door switches are issued only to designated and trained operators.

This letter with additional details was sent to principals in June.

CULPEPER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Does not have motorized partitions.

FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 127

The directive issued by the superintendent last year is still in effect and will remain in effect even after the sensors are installed. As directed by the superintendent in a June 1, 2018 letter to principals, motorized panel doors can be operated only under the following conditions:

• Students are not permitted to be in the gym, on the stage, in the cafeteria, or anywhere else where the doors are located when the doors are being opened or closed.
• Only specific staff, designated by the Principal, may operate the equipment.
• Access to the operating key will be restricted to these designated employees only.
• Staff members are required to monitor both sides of the partition when it is opening or closing.
• Any new building construction or renovation that contains plans for motorized panel door partitions will have these sensors.

FALLS CHURCH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The new law was discussed at our monthly superintendents/principals meeting.

Our division has only one motorized wall in use (Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School). It is opened and closed once during the school year for a band performance — opened after school and before the performance and closed after the building is closed that evening. It is also opened over the summer during annual floor stripping and waxing. At all times the walls are operated by maintenance and facilities staff — they are the only ones with the keys — and not while students are present.

Not aware of any written materials concerning the operation of the wall.

At our division, while we await direction from the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia School Board Association on model policy, our chief legal officer is proactively referencing the electronic room partition training in her annual mandatory legal review. All staff members must complete within the first 30 days of the new school year and will share that it is the superintendent's expectation that electronic partitions are only operated by FCCPS staff members who have been trained by our Director of Facilities and Security.

There are no plans to change our practice of only operating the wall when students and the public are not present, and there are no plans to add additional safety features.

FAUQUIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

• Has the superintendent sent any communications to school principals regarding the new law? If so, may we please have a copy of the communication? Yes, the attached document was sent as a memo to the principals at the two schools with motorized partitions (Liberty HS and Kettle Run HS).
• How is the school district training potential operators of the motorized partitions? Is it in-person training with a demonstration? If so, we’d like to attend a session and record video of it. The custodial staff at each of the two schools will review the procedures. The area building manager will oversee and assist with the review of the procedures. There has been no date set for the review yet.
• Are there any written or online materials that accompany the training? If so, may we please have a copy of the materials? The custodial staff already knows how to operate the equipment. Our new procedure introduces an additional person to help ensure students are not in the room when the partition is operated.
• How is the school district confirming that the schools and potential operators of the partitions are in compliance with the new law, which requires annual training? Area building managers will ensure the procedures are reviewed annually with staff.
• Is the school district considering adding additional safety sensors to its motorized partitions, so they can be operated while students are in the room or adjoining rooms? Not at this time.

FREDERICK COUNTY (VA) PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 5

• Has the superintendent sent any communications to school principals regarding the new law? If so, may we please have a copy of the communication? Information was shared verbally during a summer administrative training session held in June.
• How is the school district training potential operators of the motorized partitions? Is it in-person training with a demonstration? If so, we’d like to attend a session and record video of it. School-based administrators have been instructed to provide training to all staff who have authority to operate the partitions.
• Are there any written or online materials that accompany the training? If so, may we please have a copy of the materials? There are no written materials that accompany our training.
• How is the school district confirming that the schools and potential operators of the partitions are in compliance with the new law, which requires annual training? We will verify compliance with the new law as well as the required training as part of our school division's safety audit process.
• Is the school district considering adding additional safety sensors to its motorized partitions, so they can be operated while students are in the room or adjoining rooms? We are considering the addition of safety sensors to our motorized partitions. Facilities services staff is currently researching the availability of such sensors with the manufacturers. We prefer that these additional sensors be factory recommended and installed.

FREDERICKSBURG CITY SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 2

• Has the superintendent sent any communications to school principals regarding the new law? No, not as of yet. Please note, our current Interim Superintendent has only been in place for a few weeks. If so, may we please have a copy of the communication? N/A
• How is the school district training potential operators of the motorized partitions? Verbal training. We only have two "partitions" within the entire division that are motorized. They are both gym dividers. One in our k-2 school (Hugh Mercer Elementary) and one in our high school (James Monroe High School). Both partitions require operation with a two-key system, meaning it takes two adults working in tandem to move the partitions. Our PE teachers are the adults that operate them and they are all aware that the partitions are not to be moved unless the gymnasiums are "free" of children. Is it in-person training with a demonstration? No If so, we’d like to attend a session and record video of it.
• Are there any written or online materials that accompany the training? No If so, may we please have a copy of the materials? N/A
• How is the school district confirming that the schools and potential operators of the partitions are in compliance with the new law, which requires annual training? Adults are reminded each year that partitions can not be moved in any way if students are in the gymnasium. Because the partitions are operated with a two-key system, we are assured that the adults that possess the keys are the only individuals that have the ability to operate the partitions.
• Is the school district considering adding additional safety sensors to its motorized partitions, so they can be operated while students are in the room or adjoining rooms? No, the partitions are not to be operated while students are present in the gymnasium. We have no plans at this time to change this practice and do not have the need to do so.

LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The safety and well-being of every student is Loudoun County Public Schools’ highest priority, and we follow all federal, state and local ordinances and school board policies in creating a safe and secure learning environment. Only 20 out of 94 schools in Loudoun County have motorized partitions, and we are developing operational procedures and training to meet the requirements of Virginia’s new law before schools open for the 2019-2020 school year. All partitions currently require keys to operate and access to keys is extremely limited, as part of Loudoun County’s ongoing commitment to the safety of our students and employees.

Letter sent to schools can be read here.

Details on all the partitions can be found here.

MANASSAS PARK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Does not have any motorized partitions.

MANASSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

We currently have three motorized partitions — two at the high school and one at an elementary school. These partitions have remained stationary for many years, but if there was a need to move one of them, it would be completed by the maintenance department without any students in the area.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PWCS stresses the importance of safe equipment operation in our schools. To keep our students and staff safe, the School Division requires its staff to be trained in the operation of all school equipment before initial use and subsequent refresher training to avoid injury to the operator or bystanders and costly damage to the equipment. Improper use of motorized partitions has resulted in serious accidents and, unfortunately, a tragic fatal accident in a neighboring school division during the 2017-18 school year.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 22.1-138 effective for July 2019, the following shall apply to all motorized partitions within Prince William County Public Schools:

• No students shall be present in the room during the operation of the motorized partition.
• The room shall be locked or otherwise inaccessible to students during the operation of the motorized partition.
• Only trained Division personnel are authorized to operate the motorized partitions.
• Two operators are required to operate the motorized partitions.

Due to the complexity of schedules for your staff, e.g., custodians, physical education teachers, and administrative staff, Risk Management and Security Services asks that school administrators or a competent staff member who is familiar with the operation of the motorized partitions be responsible for providing training.

An instructional presentation and video, and a brochure provided for training use can be found on the Risk Management and Security Services Safety intranet page (scroll to “Motorized Partitions”). The presentation and video, and a brochure cover the safety, operation, and maintenance requirements of motorized partitions.

For questions regarding the training material or to request that safety staff conduct the training, please contact the Office of Risk Management and Security Services at 703.791.7206.

Go here to see the district's brochure on operation of the partitions.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Does not have any motorized partitions.

STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 12

As a result of Virginia passing a new law requiring School Systems to provide training and safety procedures for operating a Motorized Partition, Stafford County Public Schools provided training to Stafford County School Administrators.

Stafford County Public Schools developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that must be followed when operating one of these partitions. Only trained staff may operate the partition. It is important to note that not all facilities are equipped with motorized partitions. Safety training will be provided to school Administrators yearly. The safety and welfare of students and staff are of the utmost importance to Stafford County Public Schools.

News4 requested a copy of the SOP and has not received a response.

MARYLAND

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 3

Students are not permitted to operate motorized partitions at any time.

No written policy provided.

CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 7

We have written CCPS guidelines for the operation of folding partitions along with other operable equipment, and they have been distributed to schools. We are still considering adding sensors in addition to the manufacturer installed safety devices on our motorized walls.

CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 38

At the direction of the Superintendent, Charles County Public Schools through its Office of Safety and Risk Management developed formal safety guidelines for “Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Folding Walls, Mechanical Curtains, and Grandstands Inspections and Operations” in 2017. In that document, it provides straightforward rules for who is allowed to operate any of the mechanical equipment listed in the title as well as strict operating guidelines.

Formal training documents were written in 2017 and training was mandated for all staff operating this type of mechanical equipment starting on August 1, 2018. The training is part of the Charles County Public Schools Safe Schools Mandatory Online Training. Operators also receive hands-on training.

FREDERICK COUNTY (MD) PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 52

No written policy.

HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 1

No written policy. Only custodial staff operate the 1 partition in the county. Students are not allowed to operate the partition.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 82

“…written protocols are in development that reaffirm that the double key system schools may only be operated by MCPS staff. We have also reached out to similarly-sized jurisdictions to learn their best practices.”

News4 has reached out to the school district multiple times since May asking for a copy of the written protocols and has not received a response.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 22

The Safety Officer for the school system recently developed a standard operating procedure for the motorized partitions for school-based staff members. The operating procedure is being printed in English and Spanish on safety bulletins to be mounted on walls near the motorized partitions to increase awareness of safe operating procedures in schools. Additional training in the safe operation motorized partitions will be conducted.”

Only the building maintenance supervisor should have a key to open and close a motorized partition. Partitions should only be operated when no students are present in a room.

Operators were previously trained once, but we will begin annual training this fall. We are not considering safety sensors at this time.

Previously had no written policy.

ST. MARY’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Total number of motorized partitions: 8

No written policy.