FILE:  IKH

ANIMALS IN SCHOOL

Animals are acceptable instructional tools.  The Bogalusa City School Board believes animals can enrich and extend the curriculum and educational programs, and animals can also help children learn responsibility and gain respect for all living creatures.  Any animal used in a school setting must have been lawfully acquired in accordance with applicable state law and local ordinance.  Proof of vaccinations will be available on-site for review, when applicable.

No animals may be transported via school buses.

GUIDELINES
 

Small animals: 

Any classroom teacher who has a small animal, i.e. snake, chinchilla, bird, gerbil or hamster, must notify their site administrator in writing of the animal’s location, breed, and age.  The teacher assumes primary responsibility for all needs of the animal.

Large animals:

Large animals such as cats and dogs are permitted, but cannot be feral animals. In the case of large animals, the administrator of the school site must submit a written proposal, including a rationale, to the School Board attorney, including a plan for how they intend to notify families of the large animal’s existence on the campus.  A copy of the proposal will be forwarded to the appropriate area superintendent, who will respond to the proposal in writing.  The teacher assumes primary responsibility for all needs of the animal.  Letters sent home to families, newsletters and other media broadcasts are acceptable means of informing families.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81

Bogalusa City School Board