These Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures are designed to prevent pest problems, to identify and control pests in and around school facilities, and to reduce the exposure of students, parents, and staff to pests and pesticides. The Director of Operations shall be responsible for pest management.

The District shall employ preventive measures such as proper sanitation, clutter reduction, and exclusion of pests. The District shall practice non-chemical pest control measures (e.g. sanitation, screening, physical barriers, vacuuming, mulching, irrigation, fertilization, manual weeding, insect nest removal, pest-resistant plant selection). Pesticides will be used when appropriate, along with other management practices or when other pest prevention and non-chemical control measures have failed to reduce pests. When a pesticide must be used, the District will use smallest amount of the reduced-risk product that will meet the pest management goals.

Pest management shall include regular inspections and monitoring of each school building. Building inspections shall consist of regular monitoring of all areas of use including entrances, food/water storage sites, and restrooms for signs of pest activity. Pest complaints reported by students, staff, parents and community members shall be reported to the building principals for prompt response. The origin of a pest problem (such as food crumbs, cracks in walls, etc.) shall be determined and remedied. The type of pest shall be identified in order to determine the appropriate response strategy. If nontoxic methods fail or are impractical, the least toxic pesticide that is effective and approved application techniques that minimize exposure shall be utilized. Only trained and qualified workers shall handle and apply pesticides.

Facility management shall include:

The District's Hygienic Management policy shall be reviewed periodically and shall be made available to school staff, parents, and students. Students and staff shall be educated about potential school pest problems and encouraged to avoid such behaviors that contribute to pest problems as food in classrooms, gum under desks, paper clutter, etc. Students and staff shall be included in pest monitoring activities.

"Least-toxic pesticides" are those that are effective against the target pest, have a low acute and chronic toxicity to mammals, biodegrade rapidly, kill a narrow range to target pests, and have little or no impact on nontarget organisms. These include such materials as: pheromones and other attractants; insect growth regulators; repellants; desiccating dusts; pesticidal soaps and oils; and some botanical pesticides.

When it is determined that pesticide is to be used, the following criteria shall be used in selecting the least-toxic pesticide for use: safety, species specificity; effectiveness; endurance; speed; repellency; and cost. The application of pesticides is subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq., Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, and State and local regulations.)

Records of pesticide use shall be maintained on site and in the District office. Notices of upcoming pesticide treatments shall be posted in designated areas at school and sent home to parents who wish to be informed in advance of pesticide applications.

Pesticide purchases will be limited to the amount authorized for use during the year or for the specific application. Pesticides will be stored and disposed of in accordance with the EPA-registered label directions and State regulations. Pesticides shall be stored in an appropriate, secure site not accessible to students or unauthorized personnel.