The Plano Independent School District is considering a policy banning all dogs and animals from school grounds at all times.
The ban also applies to parents picking up students with dogs inside their cars.
School board members passed a first reading of the proposed policy at October’s board meeting, but agreed that some of the strict wording will be reviewed or changed before it passes.
There have been several incidents involving dogs and one incident of a student being bitten, according to the school board.
At the board meeting, members said the need for a written policy stems from the fact that when parents are told they can’t have dogs on school grounds, they have asked where it is expressly written.
For Alisa Crouch, a dog owner who lives next to Plano Senior High School, the proposed policy is simply too restrictive.
“It’s blowing my mind what they’re trying to do,” Crouch said.
Crouch said she often takes her dogs Tootsie and Shelby on walks on school grounds after hours, but never when kids are in school.
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“Because you never know when someone is going to come up and pet your dogs and your dogs may react,” Crouch added.
Plano’s Animal Services department registered 12,570 cats and dogs this year.
Most school districts in Collin County simply have guidelines for animals on school grounds, but no written policy banning them after-hours.
Plano ISD’s full proposed policy is below:
Dogs and other animals are not permitted on school grounds or in vehicles entering school parking lots and traffic aisles. This policy applies before, during, and after school hours, as well as during events on school property. It is an exception to this provision that: (a) the animal is a service animal assisting a person with a disability in accordance with and subject to the limitations provided in FBA (LEGAL) and FBA(REGULATION); (b) the animal is a law enforcement or District working animal; (c) the owner or handler of the animal has written permission from an authorized agent of the District; or (d) the animal is part of a District-approved activity or program.
School board members will discuss passing the policy at their Nov. 1 or 15 meeting.
Once approved, it would take effect immediately.
