Annual Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Notification

To keep in compliance with Chapter 27, the standards for pesticide applications and public notification in schools, School Administrative District # 74 uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds. This policy may be reviewed at any school location within the school district. Our goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school building(s) and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance. We routinely monitor the school building and grounds to detect any pests that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office, and teaching staff and includes our students. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.

From time to time, it may be necessary to use pesticides registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to manage a pest problem. A pesticide will only be used when necessary and will not be routinely applied. When a pesticide is necessary, the school will try to use the least toxic product that is effective. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices shall be sent to all school staff and parents/guardians of students at least five (5) days prior to the planned application. Notices will also be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for 48 hours following the application. Records of any previous pesticide application as well as a copy of the Pesticides in Schools regulation (CMR 01-026 Chapter 27) are also available for review.

Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school may request prior notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the school’s notification registry. If you would like to be placed on this registry, please notify the district in writing. Please include your email address if you would like to be notified electronically.

If a pesticide application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or guardian who has requested such notification in writing. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and anti-microbial products; selfcontainerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids; and swimming pool maintenance chemicals.

Each year the district will prepare a new notification registry.

If you have any questions, please contact Scott LeHay, IPM Coordinator, at 635-2727, Ext. 2.