Series 3000: Business/Non-Instructional Operations

3524.1 Pesticide Application

In conformity with all applicable statutes, the intent of this policy is to ensure that staff, students, and parents/guardians receive adequate advance notice of pesticide applications in school buildings or on school grounds. Further the District will only employ certified pesticide applicators for any non-emergency pesticide use in the school buildings or grounds. However, someone other than a certified pesticide applicator may apply a pesticide in an emergency to eliminate an immediate human health threat when (1) it is impractical to obtain the services of a certified pesticide applicator and (2) a restricted use pesticide is not used.

A “pesticide” is defined as a fungicide used on plants, an insecticide, a herbicide, or a rodenticide but does not mean a sanitizer, disinfectant, antimicrobial agent or pesticide bait.

“Integrated pest management” is defined as the use of all available pest control measures, including the judicious use of pesticides when warranted to maintain a pest population at or below an acceptable level while decreasing the unnecessary use of pesticides.

A “lawn care pesticide” is defined as pesticide registered by the EPA and labeled according to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act for lawn, garden and ornamental use.

The Board is committed to minimizing the use of pesticides. Therefore, the primary practice of pest control shall involve reducing/eliminating the conditions necessary for pest survival. These measures include but are not limited to good housekeeping and routine, prompt maintenance of buildings and grounds.

The application of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of schools with students in grade eight or lower must be according to an integrated pest management plan (IPM). Such application is prohibited except in emergencies. An emergency application may be made to eliminate a human health threat in any school with students through grade eight as determined by the Superintendent.

As required by state statute, the District shall:

• Annually inform parents/guardians and staff of the District’s pest application/management policy and a  description of any pesticide applications made during the previous school year.

• Establish a registry of parents/guardians and staff who want to receive advance notice of all pesticide use and provide such notice.

• Provide notice of planned pesticide application to students, parents/guardians and employees.

• Make pesticide applications only after regular school hours or planned activities.

• Maintain written records for five years of all pesticide applications.

3524.1(b)

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

        10-231b. Pesticide applications at schools: Authorized applicators. Exception, as amended by PA 09-56

                   10-231c. Pesticide applications at schools without an integrated pest management plan

         22a-46. Short title: Connecticut Pesticide Control Act.

        22a-54. Pesticide applicators, certification, classification, notice, fees, reciprocity; financial responsibility; aircraft,            tree, public employee applicators.

        22a-58. Records to be kept by distributors and applicators.

        23-61a. Definitions. Tree protection examining Board within Department of Consumer Protection. Regulations.

        23-61b. Licensing for arboriculture; examination; fees; renewal; suspension, revocation. Nonresidents. Records.              Pesticides.

        P.A. 09-56 An Act Concerning Pesticide Applications at Child Day Care Centers and Schools

        Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 7 U.S. Code 136 et seq.

Policy adopted: October 19, 2015  THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut