Policy Details Page

Policy No. 2325
Students

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The Board of Directors recognizes the importance of outdoor gardens within school sites for purposes of promoting student enrichment, promoting nutrition education, and supplementing relevant District curriculum. The Management and Operations department will authorize establishment of a school garden only after sufficient volunteer, community and school support, including funding, has been established. The district will assist in the facilitation of gardens, but will not provide financial assistance to develop, maintain or remove such gardens.

Produce grown in school gardens may be prepared and tasted by eligible students, taken home by participating students, staff and volunteers, and donated to local non-profit organizations or charities who agree to assume the risk of consuming it. School garden produce will not be used in the district’s nutrition services program.

Selection and approval of the site and size of the garden and any associated structures shall be subject to the approval of the school principal or designee and the Maintenance and Operations Manager. Responsibility for the construction and maintenance of the garden shall be determined by the principal or designee in advance, as will the removal of the garden if it is not properly maintained.

Safety shall be a primary concern in the selection of all materials used for construction of the garden, the selection, and cultivation of the plants, and the harvest of any produce. All school gardens will be operated in compliance with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and requirements related to school gardening.

Student participation in the school garden program will be optional. Parents/guardians and volunteers will be required to sign a consent and assumption of risk form in order to participate in gardening programs and/or to consume any food grown in the garden.

The Superintendent shall develop regulations for the implementation of this policy. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit the scope of the regulations, including requirements pertaining to limiting the District’s liability.

Legal Reference:

• RCW 28A.320.185

Cross Reference:

• Policy 6700, Nutrition and Physical Fitness

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Adoption Date: 1/25/18