Nobleboro board adopts revised therapy-dog policy, removes numeric cap and leaves discretion to administrators
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Summary
After public comment and debate, the Nobleboro School Board adopted revised policy IMGB governing certified therapy/animal-assisted activities, removing a fixed limit on school dogs and clarifying administrative discretion for individual placements.
The Nobleboro School Board voted to adopt a revised IMGB policy on April 13 that governs certified therapy and animal-assisted activities in school, removing language that set a fixed numeric limit on dogs and leaving placement decisions to school administrators.
Board members debated whether the policy should specify a maximum number of dogs. Mark Moody urged keeping a two-dog allowance, saying, "I would make a motion to put it at 2 dogs." Parent speakers and staff pointed to several years of experience at Nobleboro Central School with certified animals and described benefits for anxious and socially isolated students. One public commenter said, "Overall, these dogs contribute to a more positive classroom and school wide atmosphere." (Britney, public commenter)
Opponents of a numeric cap argued the board did not need to set a fixed number and that discretion should rest with building leadership. The chair and other board members sought flexibility for administrators to evaluate student needs and operational issues; the board recorded that administrative approval would govern individual cases. During public comment, residents raised specific questions about whether an animal’s use must be documented in a 504 or IEP and urged clearer language on who determines "documented need." The board and superintendent said the administration would manage such determinations.
After amendments to remove the sentence limiting the number of animals, a board member moved to adopt IMGB as revised and the motion passed by roll call (adopt IMGB as revised; mover: board member; second: board member; vote recorded in open session).
Why this matters: Nobleboro Central School has used certified dogs in classrooms for several years, and the policy change affects day-to-day decisions about when and how animals can be present to support students. Parents and staff said the dogs support attendance, reduce anxiety and improve classroom engagement; other speakers stressed safety, allergy and training concerns and asked for precise administrative procedures.
Next steps: The board adopted the revised IMGB policy; administrators were asked to prepare clear operational guidance about how need is documented and who may authorize animals in classrooms. The superintendent and building administrators will clarify whether clinical documentation, parent requests, or school-based determinations provide the basis for placements.
