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PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY
The School District is committed to providing a safe and properly maintained environment for all staff, students and visitors. To achieve this end, the School District will implement integrated pest management procedures for its buildings and grounds.
The integrated pest management procedures shall include implementation of appropriate prevention and control strategies, notification of certain pesticide and herbicide uses, record keeping, education and evaluation.
Integrated pest management procedures will determine when to control pests and what method of control to choose. Strategies for managing pest populations will be influenced by the pest species, location and whether and at what population level its presence poses a threat to people, property or the environment. The full range of action alternatives, including no action, will always be considered.
I. OVERVIEW AND GOALS
A. The School District shall develop and implement an integrated pest management program.
B. An integrated pest management program is a pest control approach that emphasizes using a balanced combination of tactics (cultural, mechanical, biological, chemical) to reduce pests to a tolerable level while using pesticides and herbicides as a last resort to minimize health, environmental and economic risks.
C. Pesticides and herbicides will be used only as a last resort, based on a review of all other available options.
D. The integrated pest management program shall strive to:
1. Reduce any potential human health hazard.
2. Reduce loss or damage to school structures or property.
3. Minimize the risk of pests from spreading in the community.
4. Enhance the quality of facility use for school and community.
5. Minimize health, environmental and economic risks.
II. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES
A. When pesticides or herbicides are used, they must be classified as an EPA Category III or IV. Application of any pesticide or herbicide may be performed only by certified applicators.
B. Application of pesticides and herbicides may only be accomplished during a school break or when the building will be clear of students for at least 48 hours.
III. NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDE USE
A. When pesticides or herbicides are used outdoors, notice of their use will be provided to parent/guardians, staff and students and will also be posted in a common area.
B. When pesticides and herbicides are used in a building, the site will provide a 48-hour pre-notification in the form of posting the product name, purpose, application date, time and method and the Material Safety Data Sheet on all entrance doors. A contact person will also be listed.
C. In the event of an EPA registered pesticide or herbicide application in or around a building site during the school year or summer session, a notice (including the product name, purpose, contact person, and application date, time and method), will be sent home in writing with students in the affected building at least 5 days prior to application.
IV. RECORD-KEEPING
A. The District will keep a record of pesticides and herbicides used, amounts and locations of treatments and will keep any Material Safety Data Sheets, product labels and manufacturer information on ingredients related to the application of the pesticides or herbicides.
B. All records of pesticides and herbicides used and correspondence will be available for public review upon notice and during normal school hours.
V. STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES AND EDUCATION
A. Designated staff (School Nutrition, Buildings and Grounds, etc.) will participate in sanitation and pest exclusion procedure appropriate to their roles. For example: keeping doors closed, repairing cracks, removing food waste within 12 hours, keeping lids on garbage receptacles and keeping vegetation properly cut.
B. Ongoing education of all appropriate District staff will be a priority to ensure a safe and clean environment.
SOURCE: MASC August 2016
LEGAL REF.: M.G.L. 71:68; 132B
Approved by School Committee: June 3, 2019
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