ACBC-AP: Use of Animals in District Schools & Curricular Programs

West Fargo Public Schools recognizes that there are medical and physical dangers associated with allowing interaction with and/or use of animals in the educational program and in district schools; however, it also recognizes that animals may be an effective teaching aid and/or their presence may be required to reasonably accommodate students and staff with disabilities.

USE OF ANIMALS FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES

Teachers seeking permission for the use of animals as part of the educational program or seeking permission for students to participate in an activity involving animals (e.g., a field trip) shall submit a request to the building principal in accordance with administrative regulations. The principal shall consider such requests on a case-by-case basis based upon criteria established by the superintendent.

USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS BY THE DISABLED

Disabled students and staff, as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, may be granted use of a service animal for the purpose of reasonable accommodation.  The superintendent shall make such determinations on a case-by-case basis based on the following criteria. Whether the presence of the service animal would:

• Impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the district;
• Require a fundamental alteration to the educational program;
• Injure the legitimate and legally protectable rights of others.  In such cases, a disabled student’s parent may be given the option of changing the student’s educational placement if alternative placement will remedy the infringement of other’s rights.

REVOCATION OF ANIMAL USE

The decision to allow any type of animal in school may be revoked if:

• The animal poses a direct health and/or safety threat to others;
• The animal is out of control;
• The animal’s presence has fundamentally altered the educational program.

ANIMAL-RELATED INJURIES

The principal and parent/guardian (if a student is involved) shall be notified as soon as possible if an animal bites an individual on school property or during a school-sponsored activity or an animal-related incident occurs on school property or during a school-sponsored activity that could have an adverse effect on an individual’s physical or emotional health. An accident report shall be filed in accordance with district policy and regulations.