PORT ANGELES — Some classroom pets got a reprieve while others were banned by the Port Angeles School Board earlier this week.
The new rule, which passed on a 3-2 vote Monday night, bans turtles, frogs, parrots, pythons, lizards, chickens, rescued wild birds, piranhas, centipedes, wild rodents, raccoons, squirrels and “aggressive rabbits” from the classroom.
“I managed to read that with a straight face,” Superintendent Jane Pryne joked after reading “aggressive rabbits” on the list of banned animals.
Other animals — such as caged cavies, hamsters, gerbils and tarantulas — are allowed with express permission from the school principal and a clear educational purpose, Pryne said.
School Board members Sarah Methner and Cindy Kelly voted against the rule.
Methner also had voted against it during the first reading in May.
She asked then why children could not have classroom gerbils.
Parents, students and members of the public took the board to task for its stance on classroom pets.
News of the measure went further afield.
On May 30, the board was presented a “Schrammie,” a weekly spoof award created by KOMO-TV news commentator Ken Schram, which is given to people and organizations Schram believes have made bad decisions.
School Board member Lonnie Linn has had a large share of the attention after responding to Methner’s question by jokingly calling classroom gerbils “varmints.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time looking up the definition of “varmint,” Linn said Monday.
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a varmint is “an animal considered a pest; specifically one classed as vermin and unprotected by game law.”
The dictionary names rats and mice as examples.
In the end, the clarified set of rules allows rodents to remain in the classroom under specific conditions.
Two good things came from the unexpected attention, School Board members agreed.
One was that the board learned a lesson on having details of possibly controversial rules worked out before the first reading at a School Board meeting, they said.
“We need to have the procedure ready,” said Patti Happe, board president.
The second was getting students involved in the process.
“We had the most participation from kids that we’ve had for years,” Linn said.
Board members received letters from fifth- and sixth-grade classes, and students made sure the board knew they care about their classroom pets.
Port Angeles High School’s board representative, Jacob Wood, said he heard from classmates who wanted to know if Bob the Tarantula, a favorite classroom pet from their elementary school days, would be allowed to stay.
“Bob died,” Pryne said, but added that other tarantulas would be allowed as long as they remain properly approved, caged and cared for.
Wood also asked about how the district deals with wild animals that might wander onto campus.
“They would be removed,” Pryne said.
Pryne explained that the building maintenance department removes uninvited wild guests.
“I trust our principals to say, ‘Ah, a bear cub. Not a good idea,’” she said.
The rule will not affect service animals, reading dogs and family pets brought in by students’ families for show-and-tell, Pryne said.
Visiting dogs and cats must have a veterinary health certificate and be appropriately restrained with a leash or cage.
“Household rope and string don’t count,” Pryne said.
Educational visits by groups such as the Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center and “Reptile Man” Scott Peterson will be allowed, with special dispensation and a plan for student health and safety.
At this time, chickens will remain on the “absolutely banned” list, possibly putting an end to a program at Dry Creek Elementary School in which students hatch and raise chickens, but Pryne said she may reconsider her decision.
“More research is needed,” Pryne said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.