|
Photo courtesy John Winters Thanks to The Boren Foundation, and Jack and Karen Kay Leonard for making this website possible. |
Key Indiana School Associations Endorse Pesticides Policy for Schools
If your local school district is paying attention, it should have gotten the message loud and clear about reducing exposure to pests and pesticides.
On June 13, the executive directors of the Indiana School Board Associations, the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents and the Indiana Association of School Business Officials sent a letter to their members encouraging them to adopt formal policies and regulations regarding the management of pests and pesticides. The recommended policies are drawn from recommendations adopted by the Indiana Pesticide Review Board on Dec. 14, 1999. The organizations are expected to adopt in August a single recommended policy.
The executive directors stated that:
- “School corporations need to consider clear, concise board policy and administrative regulations that provide open communication and collaboration with the school-community [regarding pesticide use].”
- “Local school boards, superintendents and other school officials can provide a safe school environment by implementing a pesticide policy locally and by participating in the training offered.”
They encouraged adoption of the policies and regulations for the 2000-2001 school year because EPA and IDEM will pay for the training and to help ensure that local school programs will be protected before the beginning of the new school year.
Senator Beverly Gard, the chair of the Indiana General Assembly’s Environment Committee, reinforced the message in a June 22 letter to the three school associations. She complimented them on issuing a voluntary policy and let them know that she has may introduce legislation in the 2001 session if the issue is not adequately addressed.
See IKE's broader effort on pesticides for more details.