Board approves first reading of multiple policy updates, including curricular animals (therapy dogs) and firearms safe-storage notices

The Northville Public Schools Board of Education approved a first reading of several new or revised policies addressing firearms safe-storage notices, curricular animals (therapy dogs), safety and security terminology, threat assessment procedures, earned sick time and employee personal communications devices.

Secretary Meyer presented motion 98 to place the policies on first reading and Trustee Frasier supported the motion; the first reading passed without recorded opposition.

Policy changes explained during the presentation included: - Firearms and other weapons (policy 1102): an update required by recent state legislation that directs districts to distribute safe-storage information developed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as part of annual family notifications. - Curricular animals (policy 2157): a new board-level policy to formalize both third-party therapy animals that visit on a limited basis and a district program to add up to four employee-owned therapy dogs. Under the plan described to the board, those dogs would be purchased through district processes, trained through an approved therapy-dog program, and assigned to counseling centers at the high school, both middle schools and to a reset space at Cook School. The policy will be followed by an administrative therapy-dog manual that specifies credentialing, health requirements and handlers’ responsibilities. - Safety, security, school crisis team, standardized response terminology and threat evaluation (policy 3008): updates to incorporate statewide standardized response terminology recently approved by the governor and to codify a threat assessment and suicide intervention team as required by legislative changes. - Earned sick time (policy 4123): revisions to align district practice with the ballot-approved Earned Sick Time Act and to update administrative procedures for earned leave. - Personal communications devices (policy 4000-series): a new employee-facing policy clarifying acceptable use of personal devices on school property, linking device access to vetted district technology systems and reiterating requirements tied to FERPA/HIPAA protections.

Board questions focused on the curricular animals policy’s distinctions between third‑party therapy-animal visits and an expanded program of employee-owned therapy dogs; the presenter said the draft policy now separates those models and outlines responsibilities, training and health certification standards to ensure consistent operation. Board members also asked about coordination with first responders and school emergency plans, which the safety-policy updates are intended to streamline through statewide standardized terminology.

Because this was a first reading, the board did not adopt final administrative procedures; staff said an administrative manual and operational guidance will follow.