Board accepts lawyer-recommended policy updates, clarifies therapy‑dog ownership
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Summary
The board unanimously approved updates to the district bylaws and policy manual based on Miller Johnson’s recommendations, including language on safe storage, behavioral threat assessment teams, school crisis response, and distinctions between district therapy dogs and individual service animals under ADA.
The Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education voted 5–0 on Aug. 26 to accept attorney recommendations from Miller Johnson and update the board bylaws and district policy manual.
Deputy Superintendent Heights presented the updates, which the district described as primarily language changes to comply with recent state legislation. The updates address facility and operations communications, Michigan’s safe‑storage law, language for behavioral threat assessment teams, school crisis response coordination with Michigan State Police, and clarifications under the Americans with Disabilities Act distinguishing district therapy dogs from individually owned service animals.
Trustee Zama asked whether therapy dogs are district property or owned by handlers. Deputy Superintendent Heights replied: “So the therapy dogs that we provide in all of our schools right now are district owned therapy dogs. Any service animal that's approved based on an individual's needs through ADA is their own service animal.”
The board waived the first reading on the policy updates and then approved acceptance of Miller Johnson’s recommendations by roll call vote, 5–0. The superintendent and staff said the language changes are intended to align district practice with state law and current ADA guidance.
No substantive new operational programs were adopted at the meeting; the board approved the updated policy language as presented.