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Uxbridge committee suspends reading rule, adopts revised animals-in-school policy to allow comfort dog engagements
Summary
The Uxbridge School Committee suspended its two-reading requirement and approved revisions to Policy IMG to remove individual-liability language for service and comfort animals, allowing the district's comfort dog to attend end-of-ESY events and orientations. The suspension passed by roll call; one member voted no.
The Uxbridge School Committee voted to suspend its usual two-reading rule and adopt revisions to Policy IMG—"Animals in School"—so the district's comfort dog can participate in school events this summer and at orientations.
Administrators told the committee the changes strike clauses that placed sole liability on individual handlers for damage or injury caused by service or comfort animals and instead rely on the district's insurance and internal procedures. The presenter said the language change followed conversations with the police chief and the town's insurers and would align the policy with "the police department's expectations and comfort."
Committee members debated whether to postpone a second reading until the regular August meeting or adopt the revisions now so the dog—referred to in the record as Cash—could attend the final days of Extended School Year (ESY) and scheduled orientation events. The chair explained that suspending the board's policy-reading rule requires a two-thirds vote; the roll-call suspension passed with the majority in favor and one member, Dave, recorded as voting no.
After the suspension passed the committee moved to adopt the revised Policy IMG as presented. Members cast roll-call votes in favor; the chair confirmed the policy will be brought back on the next agenda for review as a formal record.
The committee noted that the district's insurance coverage will remain the primary mechanism for addressing any liability issues and that internal procedures will be used to handle incidents and cleanup. The committee also said it will continue to coordinate with the police department about the comfort dog program's operations.
The committee recessed for an executive session later in the meeting to discuss contract negotiations.
What happens next: The adopted Policy IMG will appear on the next meeting agenda for formal review, and the comfort dog may attend the remaining ESY events and orientations as described.
