ANIMALS IN SCHOOL
5.13
No animal shall be brought to school without prior permission of the building
Principal.
The Millis School District is committed to providing a high quality educational
program to all students in a safe and healthy environment.
School Principals, 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 student 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 Millis School
District.
Wild Animals and Domestic Stray Animals - Because of the 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 Animals or Law Enforcement Animals.
These animals may be allowed in school or on school grounds with 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 Millis 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.
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." The regulations further state that "a public entity shall make
reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a
miniature horse by all individual with a disability if the horse has been
individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual
with the disability."
Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that individuals with
disabilities cannot perform themselves. Service animals are not pets. There are
several kinds of service animals that assist individuals with disabilities. Examples
include, but are not limited to, animals that:
- assist individuals who are blind or have severe sight impairments as "seeing
eye dogs" or "guide dogs;"
- alert individuals with hearing impairments to sounds;
- pull wheelchairs or carry and pick-up items for individuals with mobility
impairments; and
- assist mobility-impaired individuals with balance.
The District shall not assume or take custody or control of, or responsibility
for, any service animal or the care or feeding thereof. 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.
If, in the opinion of the School Principal or authorized designee, any service
animal is not in the control of its handler, or if it is not housebroken, the service
animal may be excluded from the school or program. The service animal can also be
excluded if it presents a direct and immediate threat to others in the school. The
parent or guardian of the student having custody and control of the animal will be
required to remove the service animal from District premises immediately.
If any student or staff member assigned to the classroom in which a service animal
is permitted suffers an allergic reaction to the animal, the person having custody
and control of the animal will be required to remove the animal to a different
location designated by the Building Principal or designee and an alternative plan
will be developed with appropriate District staff. Such plan could include the
reassignment of the person having custody and control of the animal to a different
classroom. This will also apply if an individual on school transportation suffers an
allergic reaction. In this case, an alternate plan will be developed in coordination
with appropriate school, District, and transportation staff including the involvement
of the parents/guardian of the student.
When a student will be accompanied by a service animal at school or in other
District facilities on a regular basis, such staff member or such student's parent or
guardian, as well as the animal's owner and any other person who will have custody
and control of the animal will be required to sign a document stating that they have
read and understood the foregoing.
The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee shall be responsible for
developing procedures to accommodate a student's use of an assistance animal in
District facilities and on school transportation vehicles.
SOURCE: MASC February 2011
First Reading: 3/15/11
Second Reading: 4/5/11
Approved: 4/5/11