Vehicles, Motorized Devices and Animals on School Grounds 7-57

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 7-57

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Vehicles, Motorized Devices and Animals on School Grounds

1. Vehicles or motorized devices

   The operation of powered vehicles not owned by the School Board, not licensed by the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, or otherwise licensed in compliance with Virginia laws, shall be prohibited on school grounds.

   The operation of licensed motor vehicles on school grounds shall be restricted to the paved roads and parking lots. Parking on school grounds shall be limited to employees, students, visitors and those attending school-related activities.

   Without prior approval from the building administrator/designee, no person may operate or otherwise use the following items on school property, buses or grounds: mopeds; electronic powered bicycles; motorized skateboards; motorized scooters; golf carts; go carts; low speed vehicles; battery-operated ride on vehicles; surreys; motorized or electronic toys such as model airplanes, helicopters, hovercraft or similar devices. Other devices or items that are used in a manner that create a disruption or threat may be determined to be inappropriate items and prohibited on school property, buses or grounds.

2. Animals on School grounds
   1. Animals can be allowed on School Board property, buildings, vehicles, grounds or School Division sponsored activities with prior permission of the principal or building administrator, if the activity is relevant to instruction or any other approved activity. Classroom animals will be limited to rodents, reptiles, insects, arachnids, fish or small amphibious animals that are related to classroom activities. The principal, building administrator or the School Administration may revoke permission for classroom animals at any time and there will be no appeal procedure.
   2. Employees and students are not authorized to have personal pets or animals that do not qualify as trained service dogs or miniature horses in school buildings or vehicles, on school grounds or at School Division sponsored events when the employee is working, or the student is attending school or participating in a School Division sponsored event. Under limited circumstances, a principal or building administrator may authorize an animal to be present in a School Division building, on school grounds or vehicles or at a School Division sponsored event if the following conditions are met:
      1. The animal may only be a dog that has current certification of completed training as a therapy dog.
      2. The dog is under the control of a handler who is not an employee or a student of the School Division.
      3. The principal or building administrator has set forth a specific purpose for the dog’s presence that addresses educational needs of the students or work conditions for employees. Such need or purpose must be more than as a mascot, general goodwill, or general morale. Examples of acceptable purposes: reading to the dog by struggling readers; specific activities related to kindness or good manners with others.
      4. The dog has specific hours and days that it is present in the building, grounds or activities. Dogs should not be present every day or for full work or school days.
      5. The dog meets the conditions set forth in Regulation 7-57.1 (B)(3-6).
      6. A plan similar to a trained service dog or miniature horse plan is developed and in place before the dog is allowed access.
      7. The dog’s owner or handler agrees to any conditions set forth by the School Administration for the dog’s presence including assuming full liability for any injury to or any injury or damage caused by the dog.
      8. The School Board and the School Division will assume no responsibility for the care, costs, control or ownership of the dog.
      9. The Department of School Leadership and the Risk Manager have approved the plan for the dog if the dog is to be school based.
      10. The Building Administrator and the Risk Manager have approved the plan for the dog if the dog is to be allowed access to non-school buildings.
      11. The School Administration reserves the right to revoke approval for the dog to access School Board buildings, grounds, vehicles, or School Division sponsored events. There will be no appeal procedure for such determination.
   3. Trained service dogs or miniature horses that provide assistance to persons with disabilities, as set forth in Virginia Code §§ 51.5-42 and 44, as amended, and Regulation 7-57.1, as amended are allowed in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.

Legal Reference

Code of Virginia § 51.5-42, as amended. Discrimination against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities by educational institutions prohibited.

Code of Virginia § 51.5-44, as amended. Rights of persons with disabilities in public places and places of public accommodation.

Code of Virginia § 55.15-44.1, as amended. Fraudulent representation of a service dog or hearing dog; penalty.

Adopted by School Board: October 20, 1992
Adopted by School Board: September 21, 2010
Amended by School Board: February 4, 2014
Scrivener’s Amendments: May 23, 2014
Amended by School Board: May 10, 2022
Amended by School Board: November 9, 2022