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Amid reports of escalating classroom violence, the Thames Valley District school board has for the first time come up with a policy to send students home who pose a threat to the physical or mental health of others.

The board’s policy, still in draft form, outlines a process called “exclusion” that would allow principals to send a student home if they have reason to believe they might harm other students.

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Under consideration since late 2018, board officials say the new policy is not a response to stories published last spring in The London Free Press documenting parents’ concerns about mounting violence in primary grades by children with behavioural problems.

After it is considered by the board’s special education committee, the proposal will go before the board’s policy committee. From there it will be opened up for public input for 60 days, board chair Arlene Morell said in an email.

“The policy and procedure is at an early stage,” Morell said.