ING : ANIMALS IN SCHOOL

All animals brought into the schools on either a temporary or permanent basis shall be approved in advance by the teacher, Principal or building administrator.  At the teachers or Principal’s discretion, permission to keep the animal may be denied, for good reason, including but not limited to one or more of these considerations: (1) the purpose for the animal’s presence, (2) the ability of the teacher to control the animal, and/or (3) the dangerous propensity of the animal.

Unauthorized animals are not allowed in school buildings or on school grounds. `The Board recognizes that under the proper conditions, animals can be an effective teaching aid.  In order to protect both children and animals, the following shall apply in in schools in the district.

  1. The bringing of animals into the classroom must not violate city/state/federal ordinances.

  2. The only animals allowed in a classroom must be for a specific and appropriate educational purpose and shall be allowed for the amount of time necessary to achieve the educational goal.

  3. All animals must be in good physical condition and vaccinated against transmittable disease.Dogs, cats, and ferrets will require proof of original and booster rabies vaccination.

  4. No animal shall be permitted on school property pursuant to this policy if the presence of that animal will result in a student having an allergic reaction.  For purposes of this provision the school must be provided medical verification of the student’s allergy before the school prohibits the animal from being on school property.

  5. The teacher will be responsible for the proper control of animals brought to school for instructional purposes, including the effective protection of children when animals are in the school.This will include keeping the animal in an appropriate cage or container and handing fecal material in a sanitary manner.

  6. No animals are to be allowed to run freely on school property.

  7. All fecal material must be cleaned from the cage of any mammal or rodent on an as needed basis, (at a minimum of two times per week), and appropriate sanitizer used.  Reptiles, fish, and insects must be cared for in a manner to minimize odor and maintain health.  Person cleaning cages must wear gloves, masks, and glasses or goggles.

  8. The teacher shall be responsible for the care and feeding of animals during the school year and during school vacations.

It will be the responsibility of the teacher to provide for a plan of care for classroom housed animals in the event of an emergency school closing which might cause disruption of the routine care of the animals.  In each school where these animals are housed, there should be a plan whereby the staff member who visits the school daily during the emergency closing will be aware of the animals presence and see to their care.  If no staff member visit the school daily in such circumstance, the teacher is responsible for the daily care of the animal(s).