School Board Tables Pet Policy For Further Review
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Citing the need for further review, the Jamestown Public Schools Board tabled a policy that called for restricting pets and domestic animals on school grounds.
During their meeting Tuesday, board of education members adopted four policy updates on the recommendation of the Policy Committee. They included two on alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other substances; one on the annual organizational meeting; and one on sexual harassment in the workplace.
A fifth policy regarding animals on school property was set to be voted on Tuesday as well, but it was ultimately pulled after Paul Abbott, school board president, said it likely warranted further discussion by the board.
As presented the policy, in part, states, "Pets and other domestic animals may pose a safety risk, and are therefore restricted from being on school property. … No live domestic animals may be brought into school district buildings or permitted on school grounds, playgrounds or sports fields at any time throughout the calendar year, however, dog owners may walk their pets on a leash on sidewalks used for normal pedestrian traffic around, but not through, school district property."
Abbott said he understood the merits of the policy.
"I think it's better for the safety of our students and staff if people aren't walking up to doors with their dogs," he said, "and I don't think we need to get into the business of trying to say which dogs seem safe enough to us and which dogs don't."
However, Abbott also alluded to the popular walking path behind Jefferson Middle School sometimes used by the dog-walking public.
Patrick Slagle, school board vice president, also asked if there could be some flexibility in the policy.
"Obviously, we don't want animals on the properties to the extent that it raises liability," he said. "Whether it be a dog, a cat, a kangaroo -- whatever you may have -- gets loose and attacks a child, obviously that's not good at all. But I think about the walking path up here; I think about … whether it be a family, a senior citizen, likes to walk the path and has, not a search animal, but just the family dog that's far enough away."
As presented for consideration, the policy did include exemptions, such as animals under the control of public safety officials; animals trained and certified to be used as assistance animals, including service animals and therapy dogs; and animals used in the course of study or for educational purposes, subject to advance approval by the building principal.
"Do we want to be in the habit of coming down on someone who's just walking that nice path with their dog?" Slagle asked, later adding, "Maybe we do have a closer look at the policy and see if there are some ways we can be a little more flexible."
School board member Joseph Pawelski, who chairs the Policy Committee, said formal language needed to be included in the policy if the board wanted to add further exemptions, such as when the policy would be in effect.
"I think the whole idea is that we've got to err on the safe side," he said, "and that's why we made the policy as it was."
Abbott indicated that any animal on school grounds should be kept on a leash.
He also apologized for bringing up his concerns the evening the school board was set to vote on the policy.
"It is an issue that does affect the public," he said. "We do want to be good neighbors, but obviously we all say safety is our No. 1 (priority)."
School board member Christine Schnars recommended the board pull the policy Tuesday and hold further talks.