Updated September 26, 2019

When the Giles County School Board meets in a regular session  next week one of the considerations is allowing service animals in the eight county schools.

According to Acting Director of Schools  Vickie Beard, the school system is expecting to have a service animal very soon and recommended using the Tennessee School Board Association’s policy on service animals with a couple of additions.

Beard also recommended wording be added that the school district is not responsible for the care and supervision of the service animal.

She suggested that wording be added which requires parents to submit a request for the use of a service animal at least three weeks prior to bringing the animal to school. The policy only recognizes

School Board Attorney Tim Underwood told the board during last work session these animals are doing services for the student and  that dogs and mini horses are the only service animals recognized by law.

The board will meet on October 3rd at the Central Office.