With the prior approval of the principal, animals or plants may be brought to school for instructional purposes.

If someone is injured by an animal or comes into contact with a toxic plant, the incident shall be immediately reported to the administration by the supervising teacher. The principal shall notify the appropriate persons.

Service Animals in the Schools

Service animals are permitted in the schools and on school property in accordance with federal law. In order for the district to accommodate the health and safety of our students and staff while maintaining our educational services, programs, and activities, employees and students are encouraged to notify their building administrator prior to bringing a service animal to school for the first time. Patrons or individuals attending functions or having short term business on school property are not required to provide advance notice to school staff in order to be accompanied by a service animal on school property.

Access to school buildings will not be denied to a service animal as long as the animal is individually trained and required to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Such work or tasks must be directly related to the individual’s disability. District staff shall not be responsible to provide care or control of a service animal, and any service animal which is out of control or is not housebroken may be excluded by district staff.

For the purpose of this policy, "service animals" is not deemed to include animals provided by the school for instructional purposes or for therapy or comfort animals.