Dear Parent, Guardian, or Staff Member,
I am writing about three subjects that can affect children’s health in
schools: pests, pesticides, and your right to know.
Pest Control
Because pesticides pose risks, the school uses an alternative approach to merely applying pesticides. Control of insects, rodents,
and weeds at our school focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable place for pests to live and breed.
Through maintenance and cleaning, we will reduce or eliminate available food and water sources and hiding places for the pests.
We will also routinely monitor the school area to detect pest problems and prevent the pests from becoming established. Some
techniques we will use include pest monitoring, sanitation, pest exclusion, proper food storage, pest removal, and, as a last resort, pesticides. This holistic approach is often called integrated pest management (IPM).
Pesticide Use
Sometimes pesticides use may be necessary to control a pest problem. When that happens, the school will use the lowest risk
products available. If higher risk pesticides must be used, notices will be posted at application sites and parents, guardians, and staff have a right to know.
Your Right to Know
Parents, legal guardians, and school staff will be notified of specific pesticide applications made at the school. Notification will
be given at least five days before planned pesticide applications. Pesticide application notice will also be posted in school and
on school grounds. Notification need not be given for pesticide applications recognized by law to pose little or no risk of exposure to children or staff.
The school also keeps records of prior pesticide applications and information about the pesticides used. You may review these
records, a copy of the school’s integrated pest management policy and the Maine Board of Pesticides Control Regulation CMR 01-026 Chapter 27 by contacting our IPM coordinator, David Benner, located at the Boothbay Region Elementary School, in Boothbay Harbor.
If you have questions, please contact David Benner at 207-633-9870 or by email at dbenner@aos98schools.org. For further
information about pests, pesticides and your right to know call the Board of Pesticides Control at 207-287-2731 or visit the Maine School IPM web site at www.thinkfi rstspraylast.org/schoolipm
Sincerely, David Benner
Director of Buildings and Grounds
AOS 98
