CHAPTER 6.00 - PERSONNEL

6.99 Animals in the Classroom

Policy:

The School Board strongly encourages the study of animals in their natural habitat. Animals may only be in the classroom if they are for educational purposes and are curriculum related. No animals may be taken from their natural habitat to be brought into the classroom. Show and Tell animals are also discouraged. 

Regulations: 

(1) Live animals in the classroom must have a direct relevance to the objectives of the instructional program. 

(2) Principals are to be consulted prior to the inclusion of a live animal in the classroom. 

(3) Parental permission required. 

(4) Care of the animal(s) is the responsibility of the classroom teacher. 

(5) Where the animal constitutes a health risk or a student or staff member suffers from an allergy that is aggravated by the presence of animals, the animal must be removed. 

(6) Provision for the care on weekends and holidays is the responsibility of the classroom teacher. 

(7) All food must be stored in tightly sealed containers. 

(8) Student, faculty and staff pets are not allowed in schools, classrooms and offices. 

(9) The feeding, trapping or attempt of domesticating stray, feral or wild animals found on any district school or work site is in direct violation of the Board Policy 6.99. Notification of any stray, feral or wild animal found to be on district property should be given immediately to the school principal or site supervisor. 

(10) Service animals shall be allowed determined by an individual education plan. 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY : 1001.41(2), 1001.42(17), F.S. 

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 1003.47, 5(1)E SREF 

HISTORY: Adopted: August 14, 2007 

Revision Date(s): November 18, 2008; April 12, 2011 

Formerly: New