Board holds first reading of revised service-animal policies clarifying service animals vs. therapy animals

The Emporia Board of Education held a first reading of revised board policies ING (plants and animals in schools) and KO (service animals) that clarify the district’s approach to requests for service animals and distinguish them from therapy or emotional-support animals.

Human-resources staff member Jared Giffin presented the proposed changes and said the district’s school attorney recommended modifications to align the policy with federal disability law. The draft removes procedural grievance steps from the board policy and provides forms and a process for case-specific discussions. The packet includes sample forms and a checklist administrators would use in meetings with the student and parent or…