Fending off potential legislation, Roger Thornton of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents made a firm commitment 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 may be more significant in the longer run. Instead of extensive delays working through implementation details and rulemaking efforts, the focus is on quickly adopting and implementing policies. A year ago, only a few districts had policies, and the training programs offered by Purdue Cooperative Extension Service were poorly attended. By July 2001, 121 districts have policies in place with 27 more pending. That represents over one-half of the 292 Indiana public school districts. In addition, 260 people from 92 school districts have been training by Purdue this year. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management provided a grant to enable Purdue to offer the training for free.  IKE applauds Mr. Thornton and his association!

IKE was involved actively with the development of the state policy 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. The latest version of the policy was published on April 24, 2001. Contact IKE at mccabe@ikecoalition.org for a copy.

• 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 IKE’s Tom Neltner at 317-442-3973 or mccabe@ikecoalition.org if you need assistance.

For more information on IKE's efforts on pesticides in schools.

For information on HR-125 requiring Indiana to report on implementation by December 1, 2001. 

For information on Congressional legislation regarding pesticides in schools.