IMG
File: IMG
ANIMALS IN SCHOOL
No animal shall be brought to school without prior permission of the building Principal.
The Georgetown Public School District is committed to providing a high quality educational program to all students in a safe and healthy environment. School Principal, in consultation with the Health Services Providers in each building, shall utilize the Department of Public Health publication “Guidelines for Animals in Schools or on School Grounds” and review student health records to determine which animals may be allowed in the school building. The decision of the Principal shall be final.
Educational Program
Use of animals to achieve specific curriculum objectives may be allowed by the building Principal provided students health and safety is not jeopardized and the individual requesting that the animal be brought to school is responsible for adhering to the “Guidelines for Animals in Schools or on School Grounds” and any other conditions established by the Principal to protect the health and well-being of students.
Student Health
The health and well-being of students is the District’s highest priority. Animals may cause an allergic reaction or otherwise impair the health of students. No animals may be brought to school or kept in the school, classroom, office or common area that may negatively impact the health of any student who must utilize that area. Animals that cause an allergic reaction or impair the health of students shall be removed from the school immediately so that no student shall have his/her health impaired and each student shall have full access to available educational opportunities.
Animals Prohibited From School
Rabies is a growing problem and any fur-bearing animal is susceptible to this very serious fatal disease. Infected animals can transmit this disease to students and staff. Based on the Massachusetts Departments of Health and Education recommendations the following animals are prohibited from schools within the Georgetown School District.
Wild Animals and Domestic Stray Animals – Because of high incidence of rabies in bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes and other wild carnivores, these animals should not be permitted in school buildings, under any circumstances (including dead animals).
Fur-bearing Animals – (pet dogs,* cats, wolf-hybrids, ferrets, etc.,) – These animals may pose a risk for transmitting rabies, as well as parasites, fleas, other diseases and injuries.
Bats – Bats pose a high risk for transmitting rabies. Bat houses should not be installed on school grounds and bats should not be brought into the school building.
Poisonous Animals – Spiders, venomous insects and poisonous snakes, reptiles and lizards are prohibited for safety reasons.
*Exception: Guide, Hearing and Other Service Dogs or Law Enforcement Dogs – These animals may be allowed in school or on school grounds with the proof of current rabies vaccination. Exceptions may be made with the prior approval of the Superintendent of Schools.
Service Animals (Guide or Assistance Dogs)
The Georgetown School Committee does not permit discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including those who require the assistance of a service animal. The District will comply with Massachusetts law concerning the rights of persons with guide or assistance dogs and with federal law and will permit such animals on school premises and on school transportation.
Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that individuals with disabilities cannot perform themselves. Service animals are not pets. For purposes of this policy, a “service animal” includes any dog that has been individually trained to do the work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
The service animal must be under the control of its handler. The service animal shall have a harness, leash or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of disability to use a harness, leash or other tether or the use of a harness, leash or tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).
Under 28 Code of the Federal Regulations, § 35.136, a public entity is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal. In the event that the student is not able to be the handler, the service animal’s handler will be provided by the parent/guardian of the student unless required by state and federal law and the animal’s handler will provide care and supervision for the service animal.
According to 28 C.F.R. § 35.129, the School Principal or authorized designee may require the service animal to be removed from the premises if the animal is out of control and the animal’s handler is not able to control it; if the animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others; or if the animal is not housebroken. If the service animal is removed from the premises, the school will give the student the opportunity to participate in the service, program, or activity without having the service dog on the premises. The parent or guardian of the student having custody and control of the animal will be required to remove the service animal from District’s premises immediately. The owner or person having custody and control of the animal shall be liable for any damage to persons, premises, property, or facilities caused by the service animal, including, but not limited to, clean up, stain removal, etc. to the extent that a non-disabled individual would be liable.
If any student or staff member who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time together in the same room, they both will be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms within the building. This will also apply if an individual riding in the school van who is allergic to the dog dander and a person that uses a service dog must spend time together in the same van. Both individuals will be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different seats on the van, or an alternative plan will be developed in coordination with the appropriate school, District and transportation staff and parents/guardians.
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The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee shall be responsible for developing procedures to accommodate a student’s use of a service animal in District facilities and on school transportation vehicles.
Adopted On: July 7, 2011
Revised On : May 10, 2012
Revised On: July 26, 2012