Wright City School District, MO Integrated Pest Management Policy
Type: Policy
Status: Last revised on 6/30/08
Source File: http://policy.msbanet.org/wrightcity/showpolicy.php?file=EBAC-C.WRT
Text:
Recognizing the potential impact of both chemicals and pests on health and the environment, the Board of Education of the Wright City R-II School District requires that all district property and facilities utilize a system of integrated pest management (IPM) for controlling insects, rodents, weeds and other pests. Integrated pest management is the use of a variety of methods for effective pest control while minimizing pesticide use.
Definitions
Biological Controls -- Use of a pest’s natural enemies to control pest population. Conservation and augmentation are the biological control strategies most commonly used by school districts. Conservation simply preserves the natural biological controls already present. Augmentation means increasing the number of biological controls in a particular area.
Chemical Controls -- Pheromones; insect growth regulators; repellants; dusts, soaps and oils; synthetic or botanical insecticides, fungicides and other similar substances. For the purposes of this policy, chemical controls do not include the application of germ killers, disinfectants, sanitizing agents, water purifiers, swimming pool chemicals or self-applied personal insect repellants.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) -- The use of a variety of methods for effective pest control while minimizing pesticide use.
Pest -- Includes, but is not limited to: weeds, insects, arachnids, rodents, reptiles, birds and other animals other than those used in classroom instruction.
Pest Tolerance Level -- The level of pests deemed tolerable before action will be taken.
IPM Components
The superintendent will work with representatives of school food services, facilities management, maintenance services, building administrators and a school nurse to develop procedures for implementation of this policy. These procedures must include:
- 1. A method for monitoring the types and numbers of pests present on district property.
- 2. A method for accurately identifying the pests to be controlled.
- 3. An acceptable pest tolerance level (i.e., the level of pests deemed tolerable).
- 4. A list of acceptable pest control tactics to be applied in this order:
- No action
- Erection of physical barriers
- Alterations to current practices that contribute to pest problems
- Application of exterior biological controls
- Chemical controls beginning with the least toxic pesticides appropriate
- 5. Methods for educating students, parents and staff about pest prevention.
Notice of Treatment
All chemical treatment will be conducted at a time when buildings are unoccupied, other than the individuals conducting the treatment. Notice of chemical treatment must be posted in buildings where the treatment is scheduled.
Each notice will include the name of the active ingredients, the locations of the application, date of the application, approximate time and length of the application, the safe re-entry time or date and the name of the person to contact for additional information.
Prohibitions and Requirements
No form of chemical pest management may be applied on district property unless the application is performed by a licensed individual who has prior approval in accordance with this policy and appropriate procedures. The district will only use or contract with companies that use appropriately certified individuals for pesticide application. No individual may disperse any type of pest control device without authority from the superintendent or designee. For the purposes of this policy, chemical pest management does not include the application of germ killers, disinfectants, sanitizing agents, water purifiers, swimming pool chemicals or self-applied personal insect repellants.
The district will purchase pesticides in limited amounts calculated to meet the district’s needs for no more than one (1) year. The director of facilities and grounds will be provided a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each pesticide used.
Complaint Resolution
Complaints and concerns about the district’s pest management program should be directed to the superintendent.