Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 10/26/21(reviewed), 10/11/22 (reviewed), 9/26/23 (updated), 9/10/24 (reviewed), 3/11/25 (upated), 9/9/25 (reviewed), 11/11/25 (updated)

A Service Animal is permitted to accompany an individual with a disability onto school premises, subject to this policy and state and federal laws. Service Animals must be “harnessed, leashed, or tethered” or otherwise controlled by the user (student or employee) at all times. If the user is a student who cannot control or otherwise manage the animal on their own, a handler must be identified who should be allowed to accompany the student and Service Animal at school. The District shall not be responsible to provide a Service Animal for any student or employee, nor shall the District be responsible to care for any Service Animal, except as required by law.

For the purposes of this policy, the term Service Animal includes any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform talks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The term Service Animal does not include wild animals, farm animals, rodents, or animals whose sole function is to provide emotional support, comfort, therapy, companionship, therapeutic benefits or to
promote emotional well-being.

The District may remove any Service Animal or handler that creates: (1) an “undue burden” to the District; (2) a “fundamental alteration” of District services; or (3) a “direct threat” to District staff and students. If the Service Animal causes damage, the District may assess a charge to cover the costs.

Applications for Use of a Service Animal must be submitted annually.

Submit an Application for the Use of a Service Animal 

 

Policy References:

Legal References:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Americans with Disabilities Act