New Virginia Law On Room Partition Safety Honors Wesley Lipicky

FRANCONIA, VA—It's been almost a year since Franconia Elementary School student Wesley Lipicky, 9, was crushed to death by an electronic room partition at school. On Monday, May 13, his family marked their progress toward ensuring it doesn't happen to another child.

The Lipicky family, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Del. Mark Sickles, the bill sponsor, were present for a ceremonial signing of a room partition safety bill. The event drew a packed room at the Franconia Fire Station, across the street from Franconia Elementary.

The Wesley Charles Lipicky bill, unanimously approved by the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year, provides guidelines on room partitions. Safety devices must be installed on room partitions if they're operated when children are in the room. School employees must also complete annual safety training on how to operate room partitions.

Wesley died on May 18, 2018, as he and a teacher were simultaneously operating a motorized room partition. The effort for the legislation was spearheaded by Wesley's grandmother, Sallie Dievendorf. To date, only Virginia and New York have laws that require safety devices with room partitions at schools.

Wesley's home school district has also seen progress. A budget amendment to require safety devices at all 127 Fairfax County schools with room partitions was passed by the school board.

At the bill signing, his father Josh Lipicky said Wesley's death has been difficult for the family, but it was positive that the bill will prevent other children's deaths, at least in Virginia.

"I think it's a fitting tribute that someone who although only nine was always trying to befriend others and do things for others and thought about other people," he said. "A bill like this which will provide for other children to never be put in the situation that Wesley was put in, is a fitting tribute."

See remarks from Josh Lipicky, Gov. Ralph Northam and Del. Mark Sickles followed by the ceremonial bill signing below.