8432 - PEST CONTROL AND USE OF PESTICIDES

The School Corporation is committed to providing a safe environment for students. It seeks to prevent children from being exposed to pests and pesticides. While pesticides protect children from pests that may be found in the school and its surrounding grounds, under some circumstances they may pose a hazard to children. Therefore, pest control practices may involve a variety of chemical and non- chemical methods that are designed to control pests effectively while minimizing potential pesticide exposure to children.

The Corporation will:

1. inform annually parents and staff members of the Corporation’s pest control policy, initially by separate memorandum and there after as a provision in the student handbook;

2. provide the name and phone number of the person to contact for information regarding pest control;

3. establish a registry of parents and staff members who want to receive advance notice of all pesticide use and provide such notice;

4. provide notice of planned pesticide applications to parents and employees who have requested advance notice;

5. provide notice of all pesticide applications to school nurses;

6. maintain written record for ninety (90) days of any pesticide applications.

The Corporation will provide notice to those in the registry at least two (2) school days prior to the date and time the pesticide application is to occur. The notice will include the date and time of the pesticide application, the general area where the pesticide is to be applied and the telephone number to contact the school for more information.

In case of emergency pesticide applications, because of immediate threat to the public health, the school shall give notice as soon as possible.

The Corporation may provide for training of school employees to become certified pest control applicators. Financial support for such training may be provided by the Corporation subject to budgetary constraints of the Corporation.