Policy - ECB

POLICY: ECB

EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/2/16

CANCELS SHEET DATED: 9/3/03

REVIEWED BY POLICY COMMITTEE: 1/20/16

PEST MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOL FACILITIES

AND ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

The RSU #74 Board recognizes that structural and landscape pests can pose significant problems for people and RSU #74 property, but that use of some pesticides may also pose health and safety risks to people, property and the environment. It is therefore the policy of RSU #74 to incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and procedures for the control of structural and landscape pests.

For the purpose of this policy, “pests” are populations of living organisms (animals, plants or microorganisms) that interfere with use of school facilities and grounds. “Pesticide” is defined as any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pests and any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant.

IPM is a systematic approach to pest management that combines a variety of methods for managing pests, including monitoring; improved horticultural, sanitation, and food storage practices; pest exclusion and removal; biological control; and pesticides.

The objective of RSU #74’s IPM program is to provide effective pest control while minimizing pesticide use. The goals of the IPMprogram include managing pests to reduce any potential hazards to human health; preventing loss or damage to school structures or property; preventing pests from spreading beyond the site of infestation to other school property; and enhancing the quality of life for students, staff and others. These goals will be addressed by the establishment of a Pest Management Plan.

Pesticides may periodically be applied in school buildings and on school grounds and applications will be noticed in accordance with Maine Board of Pesticides Control Rule Chapter 27, Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Schools.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IPM COORDINATOR

The Superintendent will appoint an IPM Coordinator for each school. The IPM Coordinator will act as the lead person in implementing the RSU #74 IPM policy. He/she will be responsible for coordinating pest monitoring and pesticide applications; and making sure that all notice requirements set forth in Maine Board of Pesticides Control Rule Chapter 27, Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Schools, are met; keeping records of pesticide applications as required by rule; authorize any pesticide applications that are not exempted by rule; and implementing the notification provisions required by rule.

The IPM Coordinator will complete the training requirements established in Board of Pesticides Control Rule Chapter 27, Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Schools.

RSU #74 will provide the Board of Pesticides Control with the identity and contact information for any person appointed as IPMCoordinator in its schools.

The Superintendent shall develop and implement an RSU #74 Pest Management Plan consistent with the following IPM principles and procedures:

A.) Appointment of an IPM Coordinator

The IPM Coordinator’s responsibilities may include:

1.) Recording and monitoring data and pest sightings by school staff and students;

2.) Meeting with pesticide applicators to share information about pest problems in school buildings and on school grounds;

3.) Recording and ensuring that maintenance and sanitation recommendations are carried out where feasible;

4.) Ensuring that any pesticide use is done according to the school unit’s Pest Management Plan;

5.) Evaluating the district’s progress in implementing the IPM plan;

6.) Coordinating notification of parents and staff of pesticide applications according to the District’s notification procedure; and

7.) Recording all pesticides used by either a professional applicator or school staff as a means to track compliance with the District’s IPM policy.

B.) Identification of Specific Pest Thresholds

Routine inspection and accurate identification of pests are needed to recognize potential problems and determine when action should be taken. An “action threshold” should be determined by the IPM Coordinator, reflecting the pest control objective for each site. As pest management objectives will differ from site to site (e.g. maintaining healthy turf and specific playing surfaces on athletic fields, carpenter ant control in buildings, maintenance of ornamental plants), differences should be considered before setting an action threshold.

C.) Pesticide Applicators

Any person who applies pesticides in RSU #74 buildings or on RSU #74 grounds must possess a Maine pesticide applicators license and should be trained in the principles and practices of IPM. All pesticide use must be approved by RSU #74’s IPM Coordinator. Applicators must follow state regulations and label precautions and must comply with the IPM policy and pest management plan.

(Note: RSU #74 personnel do not need to be licensed for normal or routine cleaning practices, for emergency stinging insect control, or use of repellants for personal protection. However, RSU #74 personnel do need to be licensed if they will be using pesticides in school facilities or on school grounds.)

D.) Selection, Use, and Storage of Pesticides

Pesticides should be used only when needed. Non-chemical pest management methods will be implemented whenever possible to provide the desired control. The choice of using a pesticide will be based on a review of other available options (sanitation, exclusion, mechanical means, trapping, biological control) and a determination that these options have not worked or are not feasible. When it has been determined that a pesticide must be used to achieve pest management goals, the least hazardous effective pesticide should be selected.

Decisions concerning the particular pesticide to be used and the timing of pesticide application should take into consideration the use of the buildings or grounds to be treated.

Pesticide purchases should be limited to the amount expected to be used for a specific application or during the year. Pesticides will be stored and disposed of in accordance with label directions and state and federal regulations. Pesticides must be stored in an appropriate, secured location not accessible to students or unauthorized personnel.

E.) Notification of Students, Staff and Parents of Use of Pesticides

A notice will be provided to staff, students and parents at the beginning of the school year briefly explaining RSU #74’s pesticide use policy and indicating that pesticides may be used both indoors or outdoors, as needed. When appropriate, the RSU #74 school will notify staff, including the school nurse, students and parents/guardians at least twenty four (24) hours in advance of planned pesticide treatments in RSU #74 school or on RSU #74 school grounds, including playgrounds and playing fields.

F.) Record Keeping

In order to keep track of pesticide use and locate problem areas in RSU #74 buildings and on school grounds, records of pesticide use will be maintained at each school site for three years. Records are to be completed on the day the pesticide is applied. Pest surveillance records should be maintained to verify the need for pesticide treatments.

The IPM Coordinator for RSU#74schools is Scott LeHay, who may be contacted at 635-2727 ext. 2. This IPM policy and Board of Pesticides Control Rule Chapter 27, Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Public Schools is available for inspection and copying at every school.

Legal Reference: 7 MRSA §§ 601-625

22 MRSA §§ 1471-A-1471-X

Ch. 27 Me. Dept. of Agriculture Board of Pesticides Control Rules (Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Schools)

Cross Reference: EBAA - Chemical Hazards