Principal: Service dog too risky to allow - Newsday.com
...now we live in a country that permits mere school principals to thumb their noses at Federal and state law. I can't stand this- how in the name of God can this be happening??
Principal: Service dog too risky to allow - Newsday.com
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Principal: Service dog too risky to allow
BY CARL MACGOWANcarl.macgowan@newsday.com
February 20, 2007, 3:48 PM EST
Allowing a deaf boy to bring an assistance dog to school would have been "Russian roulette," a high school principal said Tuesday.Testifying in federal court in Central Islip, W. Tresper Clarke High School principal Timothy Voels said he believed it was risky to let John Cave Jr. bring his dog, Simba, to school without knowing how the animal would affect other students and staff.Admitting that the East Meadow School District does not have a policy regarding service dogs, Voels rejected a suggestion by the boy's attorney that the school should have let the dog attend class with John."I suppose it would be a bit like Russian roulette," he said.A teacher previously testified that he is allergic to dogs and may be affected by Simba's presence in his class. A parent testified she was concerned her daughter would become sick from contact with the dog.John and his parents, John and Nancy Cave of Westbury, are suing the district for $150 million. As part of the suit, they are seeking an injunction forcing the district to let Simba come to school.Voels said he decided not to allow the dog into school after consulting with Deputy Superintendent Leon Campo. District officials have said the dog is not allowed because of health and safety concerns.Having John and teachers and students with dog allergies switch classes to avoid one another would be a scheduling nightmare, Voels said."There would have to be an endless number of changes that would have to take place," he said.Testimony is to continue Thursday, when District Judge Arthur Spatt hopes to rule on the injunction.
Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.
Principal: Service dog too risky to allow - Newsday.com
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Principal: Service dog too risky to allow
BY CARL MACGOWANcarl.macgowan@newsday.com
February 20, 2007, 3:48 PM EST
Allowing a deaf boy to bring an assistance dog to school would have been "Russian roulette," a high school principal said Tuesday.Testifying in federal court in Central Islip, W. Tresper Clarke High School principal Timothy Voels said he believed it was risky to let John Cave Jr. bring his dog, Simba, to school without knowing how the animal would affect other students and staff.Admitting that the East Meadow School District does not have a policy regarding service dogs, Voels rejected a suggestion by the boy's attorney that the school should have let the dog attend class with John."I suppose it would be a bit like Russian roulette," he said.A teacher previously testified that he is allergic to dogs and may be affected by Simba's presence in his class. A parent testified she was concerned her daughter would become sick from contact with the dog.John and his parents, John and Nancy Cave of Westbury, are suing the district for $150 million. As part of the suit, they are seeking an injunction forcing the district to let Simba come to school.Voels said he decided not to allow the dog into school after consulting with Deputy Superintendent Leon Campo. District officials have said the dog is not allowed because of health and safety concerns.Having John and teachers and students with dog allergies switch classes to avoid one another would be a scheduling nightmare, Voels said."There would have to be an endless number of changes that would have to take place," he said.Testimony is to continue Thursday, when District Judge Arthur Spatt hopes to rule on the injunction.
Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.
posted by LadyDeerskin And Her Service Dog | Tuesday, February 20, 2007
