9205 - Pest Management
The Avery County Board of Education strives to provide a safe and orderly environment for students. Pests are significant problems for people and property. The pesticides that are commonly used in pest control may pose a potential risk to human health and the environment. The board is committed to maintaining a safe educational environment while also protecting the physical conditions of school facilities. To this end, the board will utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs or incorporate IPM procedures into the maintenance program conducted by the school system. The superintendent will appoint an IPM contact person to facilitate the use of IPM techniques. As necessary, the superintendent will develop administrative procedures for the IPM program.
- Overview of Integrated Pest Management
IPM is a comprehensive approach that combines effective, economic, environmentally sound and socially acceptable methods to prevent and solve pest problems. IPM emphasizes pest prevention and provides a decision-making process for determining if, when and where pest suppression is needed and what control tactics are appropriate.
The school system’s IPM program will strive to do the following:
- Minimize any potential health, environmental and economic risks from pests or from the use of pest control methods;
- Minimize loss or damage to school structures or property from pests or from the use of pest control methods;
- Minimize the risk of pests spreading into the community; and
- Enhance the quality of facility use for the school and community.
Pesticides will not be used based solely on a schedule. School personnel in charge of pest management will consider how and when pesticides need to be used to achieve the pest management goals.
- Use of IPM in Facility and Maintenance Operations
The school system shall include pest management considerations in facilities planning and maintenance. The IPM contact person, in conjunction with the school system’s contracted pest management professional, will recommend to the superintendent any landscaping changes, structural modifications and sanitation changes needed to reduce or prevent pest problems. The superintendent will review such recommendations and may authorize action to address necessary minor changes in a timely manner, as the budget permits. For significant changes or changes that require a significant expenditure of funds, the superintendent will recommend changes to the board for approval.
- Providing Information on IPM to the School Community
Staff, students, pest managers, parents and the public will be informed about potential school pest problems, school IPM policies and procedures, and their respective roles in achieving the desired pest management objectives. Each year, the principal or designee will ensure that the student handbook includes the schedule of anticipated pesticide use on school property and a notice to parents of their right to request notification of nonscheduled pesticide use. Notice of nonscheduled pesticide use should be made at least 72 hours in advance, to the extent possible.
- Recordkeeping
Records of all pest management activities must be maintained, including inspection records, monitoring records, pest surveillance data sheets or other indicators of pest populations, and a record of structural repairs and modifications. If pesticides are used, records must be maintained on site to meet the requirements of the state regulatory agency and school board.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-12(34)(d) and (e), -36, and -47(47)
Cross References: School Safety (policy 1510/4200/7270), Planning to Address Facility Needs (policy 9000), Care and Maintenance of Facilities (policy 9200)
Adopted: 2011-03-14