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PEST MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOL FACILITIES AND ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
The School Board recognizes that structural and landscape pests can pose significant problems for people and school unit property, but that use of some pesticides may raise concerns among parents, students, and staff. It is therefore the policy of the school department 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 the school 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.
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/designee will appoint an IPM Coordinator for each school. The IPM Coordinator will act as the lead person in implementing the school unit’s 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.
The school unit will provide the Board of Pesticides Control with the identity and contact information for any person appointed as IPM Coordinator in the schools.
NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS
When school is in session the school shall provide notification of each application not exempted by rule, whether inside a school building or on school grounds, to all school staff and parents/guardians of students. Such notices shall state, at a minimum: a) the trade name and EPA registration number of the pesticide to be applied; b) the approximate date and time of the application; c) the location of the application; d) the reasons for the application; and e) the name and phone number of person to whom further inquiry regarding the application may be made. Notices must be provided at least five days prior to the planned application. In addition, 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 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 and for at least 48 hours following the application.
In accordance with Maine Board of Pesticides Rule Chapter 27, school is considered to be in session during the school year including weekends. School is not considered to be in session during any vacation of at least one week.
The IPM Coordinator for the school department is David Benner, who may be contacted at 207-633-9870. 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:
NOTE: This is a required policy.
Adopted: 12/11/2018
Revised: 11/7/2024
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