Fending off potential legislation, Roger Thornton of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents made a firm commitment in 2001 to achieve 100% adoption of a state-endorsed pest control policy by July 1, 2002. This commitment was made at a House Education Committee hearing of Rep. Avery’s HB-1250.

While the legislation did not pass, the commitment was probably more significant in the long run since it meant the focus was on quickly adopting and implementing policies. In 2000, only a few districts had policies, and the training programs offered by Purdue Cooperative Extension Service were poorly attended. By July 2001, 121 districts had policies in place with 27 more pending. That represented over one-half of the 292 Indiana public school districts. In addition, 260 people from 92 school districts were trained by Purdue in 2001.

IKE was involved actively with the development of the state policy which was published on April 24, 2001, and supports it strongly. The policy requires training for all pesticide applicators, provides notice to all parents and staff at the beginning of the school year, gives two-day advance notice of pesticide use to those who ask for it, and prohibits the use of pesticides when children are present.  Click here for a list of school districts that had adopted the policy by January 28, 2004.

In April of 2008 the Indiana Pesticide Review Board began consideration of a rule that would take a portion of the voluntary school pesticide policy and make it mandatory.  The rule would require certification as a pesticide applicator for anyone applying pesticides at schools and other sites where children or the infirm spend significant time.  The draft rule is available here.

• Look for the school policy in your child’s school orientation packet. Sign up to get advance notice of pesticide use.
• If you do not see the policy, call your school and ask for a copy. If they have not adopted and implemented one, urge them to take immediate action on behalf of your child’s health. Contact Janet McCabe at  mccabe@ikecoalition.org if you need assistance.

For more information on IKE's efforts on pesticides.

For information on the legislative resolution HR-125 requiring the Indiana State Chemist to report on implementation of the school pesticide policy.

For a copy of the report on implementation that was submitted in December of 2001.