School environments that are free of pests, such as ants, cockroaches, and rodents have positive impact on the learning conditions and the health and safety of students, staff, parents and the community. Conversely, pesticides may have adverse effects on the health and safety of students and staff. In recognition of these impacts, the Board of Education adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy for use Districtwide in March, 1999. The IPM policy provides guidance and direction in managing pests, while minimizing the use of pesticides, with the ultimate goal of not using any pesticides.

The "Precautionary Principle", the long-term objective of the District, recognizes that no pesticide product is free from risk or threat to human health, and industrial producers should be required to prove that their pesticide products demonstrate an absence of risk, rather than requiring that the government or the public prove that human health is being harmed.

The following links are related to the Integrated Pest Management Section of the Maintenance and Operations Department. These related documents are available for download:

You may want to read the full Integrated Pest Management Policy.