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ECB - Pest Management in School Facilities and on School Grounds


ECB - PestPEST ManagementMANAGEMENT inIN SchoolSCHOOL FacilitiesFACILITIES andAND onON SchoolSCHOOL GroundsGROUNDS

The School Board recognizes that structural and landscape pests can pose significant problems for people and MSADschool #35unit property, but that use of some pesticides may raise concerns among parents, studentsstudents, and staff.  It is,is therefore,therefore the policy of MSAD #35 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, studentsstudents, and the public.

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

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. 

The objective of MSADthe #35school unit’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. 

ThePesticides Superintendentmay and/orperiodically designeebe shallapplied developin school buildings and implementon aschool Pest Management Plan consistent with the following IPM principlesgrounds and procedures:

A.    Appointment of an IPM Coordinator 

The Superintendent will appoint an IPM Coordinator for MSAD #35. The IPM Coordinatorapplications will be thenoticed primaryin contact for pest control matters and will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the IPM plan, including making pest control decisions. 

The IPM Coordinator will consultaccordance with the building principal and/or Superintendent before a decision is made to do a pesticide application for which notice is required and before providing notification of the planned application. The IPM Coordinator’s responsibilities include:

  1. Recording and monitoring data and pest sightings by school staff and students;
  2. Coordinating pest management with pest control contractors;
  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 MSAD #35 Pest Management Plan and Chapter 27 Me. Dept. of AgricultureMaine Board of Pesticides Control RulesRule (“Chapter 27, Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Schools”);
    5. Schools.

  5. Making

    RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IPM COORDINATOR

    The Superintendent/designee will appoint an IPM Coordinator for each school.  The IPM Coordinator will act as the lead person in implementing the school system’unit’s IPM policy.  He/she will be responsible for coordinating pest managementmonitoring policyand availablepesticide applications; and making sure that all notice requirements set forth in every school building;

  6. Having available for parents and staff a copy of the Maine regulation pertaining to pesticide applications in schools (Chapter 27 Me. Dept. of Agriculture Board of Pesticides Control “Rule Chapter 27, Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in MaineSchools, Schools”)are andmet; akeeping record of prior pesticide applications and information about the pesticides used.
  7. Initiating and coordinating notification of parents and staffrecords of pesticide applications accordingas torequired by rule; authorize any pesticide applications that are not exempted by rule; and implementing the MSAD #35 notification procedureprovisions 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 postingPublic notificationNotification signsin asSchools.

    appropriate; and
  8. Recording all pesticides used by either a professional applicator or

    The school staffunit will provide the Board of Pesticides Control with the identity and maintainingcontact other pest control data.

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.   

Action thresholdsinformation for specificany sitesperson willappointed be determined on a case-by-case basis by theas IPM Coordinator in consultation with the building principal and/or Superintendent, and if necessary, with the advice of a professional pest control expert. 

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, or maintenance of ornamental plants), differences should be considered before setting an action threshold.schools.

C.NOTIFICATION OF PesticidePESTICIDE ApplicatorsAPPLICATIONS

AnyWhen personschool who applies pesticidesis in session the school buildingsshall provide notification of each application not exempted by rule, whether inside a school building or on school grounds, includingto all school personnel,staff mustand possessparents/guardians of students.  Such notices shall state, at a Maineminimum: pesticidea) applicatorsthe licensetrade name and shouldEPA beregistration trained in the principles and practicesnumber of IPM. All pesticide use must be approved by the MSAD #35 IPM Coordinator. Applicators must follow state regulations and label precautions and must comply with the IPM policy and pest management plan. 

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. Application should be conducted in a manner that, to the extent practicable using currently available technology, minimizes human risk.

Decisions concerning the particular pesticide to be usedapplied; b) the approximate date and the timing of pesticide application should take into consideration the usetime of the buildingsapplication; orc) groundsthe location of the application; d) the reasons for the application; and e) the name and phone number of person to bewhom treated.

further

Pesticideinquiry purchasesregarding shouldthe application may be limited to the amount expected to be used for a specific application or during the year.made.  Pesticides will be stored and disposed of in accordance with label directions and state and federal regulations. PesticidesNotices 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 within the first two weeks of the school year briefly explaining the MSAD #35 Pest Management in School Facilities and on School Grounds use policy including provisions for notification to parents and staff of specific planned pesticide applications in school buildings or on school grounds. 

When required by regulations, the school will notify staff, students and parents/guardians at least five days inprior advanceto ofthe planned pesticideapplication. treatments inIn theaddition, school or on school grounds, including playgrounds and playing fields.

When required by regulations, signssignage will be posted at each point of access to the treated area and in a common area of the school at least two working days prior to the application and for at least 48 hours following the application.

When school is not in session, signage will be posted at each point of access to the treated area and in a common area of the school at least two working days prior to the application inand for at least 48 hours following the application.

In accordance with applicable Maine Board of Pesticides ControlRule regulations.Chapter

27,

F.school is   Recordkeeping

When a pesticide has been used, records pertinent to the application including labels and material safety data sheets will be maintained at a designated central location for two years following application. Records areconsidered to be completedin onsession during the dayschool theyear pesticideincluding weekends.  School is applied.not Pestconsidered surveillance records shouldto be maintainedin tosession verifyduring theany needvacation of at least one week. 

The IPM Coordinator for pesticideMSAD treatments.

#35

schools

is


Todd


Hughes, Director of Facilities, who may be contacted at (207) 439-2438.  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.

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


Policy Adopted: October 29, 2003

 Policy Revised: September 28, 2009 and April 13, 20162016; October 16, 2024




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