School Board Supportive Of Therapy Dog

Oskaloosa Community School Administration

It was a routine meeting for the Oskaloosa School Board Monday. The board went through a variety of routine items for their summer meeting.

The board first received a presentation from OHS Life Skills teacher Betty Ann Latchaw relating to the potential use of a therapy dog in class. Latchaw said that the dog would be used in the Life Skills classes and would stay with the Latchaw’s. Students would have the opportunity to interact with the dog during the day based on behavior as well as on how the day’s classes were going. Latchaw said she hopes to incorporate the use of the dog into the classes as well. Board members were supportive of the idea and later unanimously approved board policy 606.3, on its first reading, which would allow for the use of a therapy dog in classrooms.

The board also unanimously approved changes to board policy series 200, relating to operations of the board of education.

The board also unanimously approved contracts with the Twin Cedars Community School District and with the Webster Partners.

Lastly, the board discussed and considered board goals for the upcoming school year.

The next meeting of the Oskaloosa School Board will be on August 10th at 7:00 pm in the George Daily Auditorium meeting room.