Resident Jamie Heberlein asks Wentzville district to allow Love on a Leash visits without vendor contracts; parent raises AP US coverage concerns

Three members of the public addressed the board during the public-comment period. Jamie Heberlein, who identified herself as a Wentzville resident and a Love on a Leash representative, asked the district to permit volunteer therapy-dog teams to continue visiting schools without signing vendor contracts that would imply a business relationship and could invalidate their volunteer liability insurance. Heberlein said Love on a Leash teams are strictly volunteers that provide certified therapy-dog visits to schools, libraries and hospitals and offered to leave a certificate of insurance with district staff for review.

“He said signing a vendor contract implies a business relationship, and it could invalidate our liability insurance, which only applies when we operate as volunteers,” Heberlein said, adding that the teams cannot enter into a vendor agreement or accept payment. Heberlein asked the board to allow Love on a Leash teams to visit as volunteer community partners without a vendor contract so the program can resume in Wentzville schools where it has had a reported positive effect.

Sarah Pearman (introduced by the moderator) urged the board to review policy after reporting that an AP U.S. History class went without a certified AP instructor since January and was placed on “supported” status with substitutes administering tests and worksheets. She described multiple missed responses from the school and stressed the need for a clear follow-up process to prevent a single point of failure in course coverage.

A third speaker, Amy Benninghoffen, thanked board members for their service, encouraged plurality of viewpoints on the board and expressed opposition to providing devices to K–5 students, saying young children need in-person social play rather than screen-based instruction.

Board and staff responses: the moderator thanked each speaker and staff indicated they would review the insurance certificate Heberlein offered. No formal board action on these public comments was recorded during the meeting.