Stevensville School District 

SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities will be provided opportunity to participate in all school-sponsored services, programs, or activities on a basis equal to those without disabilities and will not be subject to illegal discrimination. The District may provide auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity. The District will not deny or allow educational opportunity based on vaccine status, except those vaccines required by law.

An individual with a disability should notify the Superintendent or building principal if they have a disability which will require special assistance or services. This notification should occur as far as possible before the school-sponsored function, program, or meeting.

Individuals with disabilities may allege a violation of this policy or of federal law by reporting it to the Superintendent, as the Title II Coordinator, or by filing a grievance under the Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedure.

Service animals

The District will comply with all state and federal laws, regulations, and rules regarding the use of service animals by a staff member, student, and community member required because that individual has a disability and the service animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of that individual.

A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this policy. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. The District may permit the use of a miniature horse by an individual with a disability under circumstances established by the Superintendent.

The Superintendent will establish procedures regarding the use of service animals by individuals with disabilities.

Legal References:
42 USC § 12111 et seq. Americans with Disabilities Act
28 C.F.R. §§ 35.104, 35.136 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services
§ 49-3-201, MCA et seq Governmental Code of Fair Practices
House Bill 702 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Vaccine Status
§ 50-16-502, MCA Legislative findings (Cited by House Bill 702)

Policy History:
Adopted on: May 14, 2013
Reviewed on: July 12, 2022
Revised on: April 9, 2013; August 9, 2022