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Leavenworth High student asks board to end cat dissections in anatomy classes
Summary
A senior at Leavenworth High School urged the board to stop cat dissections in school anatomy classes and submitted a petition with more than 50 student signatures, citing animal welfare, alternatives and alleged sourcing concerns for specimens.
A senior at Leavenworth High School urged the USD 453 Board of Education to stop classroom cat dissections and said she has a petition with more than 50 student signatures supporting the change.
Kat Schwinnisen told the board that anatomy classes at Leavenworth High School use preserved cats from a commercial supplier and said reports and undercover investigations have described inhumane breeding and killing practices at some biological supply sources. Schwinnisen called dissections “archaic” and said alternative teaching tools such as computer programs, physical models and digital media can teach the same material and can be reused, saving money for other student programs.
Nut graf: Schwinnisen asked the board to end the use of cat specimens in Leavenworth High School biology/anatomy courses; she said she will send the petition and additional information to board members.
In her roughly three‑minute public comment, Schwinnisen argued that dissections can teach disrespect for life and cited studies or reports (she described them generally) that she said show students learn less or lose interest when forced to dissect. She told the board she would provide the petition and further documentation to members following her remarks.
Board members received the comment during the patron input period. No board action on the request was taken at the meeting and no staff response was recorded during patron input.
