Policy - ECB

 POLICY:   ECB

EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/6/24

CANCELS SHEET DATED:  01/20/16

REVIEWED BY POLICY COMMITTEE:  09/18/24

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. A copy of this policy shall be kept in every school and made available upon request to staff, parents, students, and the public.

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 IPM program 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 IPM Coordinator in its schools.

The IPM Coordinator for RSU #74 schools is the Director of Operations, 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