The Lake Washington School District acknowledges its responsibility to permit students and/or adults with disabilities to be accompanied by a service animal as required by federal laws and Washington State's law against discrimination. This policy governs the presence of service animals in the schools, on school property, including school buses, and at school activities. 

A "service animal" means an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a disabled person's sensory, mental, or physical disability. 

 

The parent/guardian of a student who uses a service animal must submit a written request to the building principal/site administrator. The building principal, in consultation with the Section 504 Coordinator or Director of Special Services, as appropriate, will determine how to accommodate the request for use of a service animal. 

 

A district staff member who uses a service animal may request an ADA accommodation through the district's Human Resources Department. 

The superintendent will develop procedures for the use of service animals. 

Dogs on District Property 

 

In order to manage the risks associated with the presence of dogs on district property, the following restrictions applies to dogs on school grounds and in buildings: 

• No dogs are allowed on district property between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any school day, except for bona fide service dogs. No dogs are permitted in district athletic stadiums at any time, except for bona fide service dogs. 
   
• At all other times dogs must be leashed and controlled by owners. Owner must clean up after their dogs and remove waste from district premises. 

According to Washington State law (RCW 16.08.040), the owner of any dog that bites a person while that person is in a public place or lawfully in a private place is liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness. The dog owner is personally held strictly liable for the damage inflicted on any persons injured or harmed by the dog physically or emotionally in any manner. 
 

Adopted:
09/01/19
 

LEGAL REFS.:
RCW 49.60.040 
RCW 16.08.040