9110 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Policies

Middletown Public Schools                                                                                   No. 9110

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)

The Middletown School Committee recognizes that structural and landscape  pests can pose significant problems to people, property, and the environment.  Pesticides can also pose risks to people, property and the environment. It is therefore  the policy of this School District to incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM)  procedures for control of structural and landscape pests.

1. ** Pests **– It is the policy of Middletown Public Schools to control pests in the school  environment. For the purposes of this policy pests are categorized as  populations of living organisms (animals, plants, or microorganisms including,  but not limited to: Cockroaches, fleas, fire ants, stinging flying insects, termites  and rodents) that interfere with use of the school site for human purposes.  Strategies for managing pest populations will be influenced by the pest species  and whether that species poses a threat to people, property, or the environment.

2. ** Guidelines for Pest Management **- It is the policy of Middletown Public Schools  to reduce exposure to pesticides in the school environment. When pesticides are  used to control pests in schools, there is potential for human exposure. Excessive  exposure to pesticides may result in poisoning or allergies. Children may be  more susceptible to pesticides because of their underdeveloped immune systems  and playful behavior.

2.1 __Pests must be managed in order to:  __

a. Reduce any potential human health hazard or to protect against a  significant threat to public safety.

b. Prevent loss of or damage to school structures or property.

c. Prevent pests from spreading into the community, or to plant and  animal populations beyond the site.

d. Enhance the quality of life for students, staff, and others.

2.2 __Level of Pest Control and method:  __

a. Non-Chemical prevention, such as sanitation, exclusion, and cultural  methods will be the first line of defense against unwanted pests.

b. Pesticides will be used on an “as needed” basis only.

c. The least hazardous method and materials to treat pests will always  be used and selection will be based on the targeted pest.

d. Pesticides will be targeted to areas not accessible to children, faculty  and staff.

2.3 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) depends on the following:  a. Cooperation of administrators, faculty, staff, parents and students  b. The Facilities Management Department and the towns Recreation

Management Department working together on areas involving  grounds/field collaborations.

c. The Director of Facilities Management will act as the Middletown  Public Schools District IPM Coordinator.

d. A staff member from each school to facilitate the IPM program and  keep pest records and notification forms.

3. Integrated Pest Management Procedures

3.1 Chemicals will be used as a last resort for the treatment of pests. IPM  practitioners depend on current, comprehensive information on the pest  and its environment and the best available pest control methods.  Applying IPM principles prevents unacceptable levels of pest activity and  damage by the most economical means and with least possible hazard to  people, property, and the environment.

3.2 The choice of using a pesticide will be based on Facilities Management  reviewing with the Middletown Public Schools contracted licensed  applicator all other available options and a determination that these  options are not acceptable or are not feasible.

a. Cost or staffing considerations alone will not be adequate justification  for use of chemical control agents,

b. Non-chemical pest management methods will be implemented  whenever possible to provide the desired control.

c. It is the policy of this School District to utilize IPM principles to  manage pest populations adequately. The full range of alternatives,  including no action, will be considered.

d. Middletown Public Schools and its licensed/certified contracting  company will have a Monitoring and Inspection Program which  includes:

i. Methods of surveillance

ii. Scheduled inspections and monitoring to determine if remedial  action is necessary.

iii. Description of site-specific pest control methods.

iv. Conditions considered necessary to allow pesticide application   v. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all pesticides used.   vi. Photocopies of the contractor’s commercial pesticide applicator  certificates/licenses.

vii. Notification and postings: The School Systems contractor will  work with the IPM Coordinator to ensure full compliance with  state notification and posting requirements.

3.3 When it is determined that a pesticide must be used in order to meet  important management goals, the least hazardous material will be  chosen. The application of pesticides by a licensed, certified applicator is  subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7  United States Code 136 et seq.), School District policies and procedures,  Environmental Protection Agency regulations in 40 Code of Federal  Regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations,  and state (Title 23: 23-25-37) and local regulations.

3.4 No application will be made in any building or on the grounds during  regular school hours.

3.5 IPM procedures do not apply to the use of germicides, disinfectants,  sanitizers, deodorizers, antimicrobial agents, insecticidal soaps, non volatile insect or rodent bait in tamper resistant container, insect  repellants or the application of a pesticide under 40 CFR parts 152.25.

b. Notice will be provided to the persons on the registry no later than  twenty-four (24) hours before a pesticide application. Notice will be  given by any means practical and will contain:

i. Common name and active ingredient of the pesticide to be used.   ii. EPA Registration Number as listed on the pesticide label.

iii. The pest(s) being controlled.

iv. The specific location where the pesticide is to be used.

v. The date of application

vi. The name of the IPM Coordinator or his/her designee, who can be  contacted for further information.

4. ** Education **- Pest Managers from each school, and the public will  be educated about potential school pest problems and the IPM policies and  procedures used to achieve the desired pest management objectives.

4.1 Administrators and the School Committee will have an understanding of  the laws pertaining to Integrated Pest Management Codes for schools.

4.2 The school nurse in each school will maintain a copy of the Material  Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for any pest control chemicals used on school  property and be aware of any children or staff with health related  sensitivities.

4.3 Sanitation is the most important part of pest management. Sanitation is in  great part dependent on Students and Staff. Preventing and reducing  pest infestations depends on:

a. The presence of food left in classrooms, common areas, and lockers.

b. The reporting the presence of pests to the school IPM  facilitator/record keeper.

c. Proper maintenance of plumbing in areas, such as (but not limited to),  bathrooms, locker rooms, consumer science rooms, horticulture areas,  and boiler rooms. Maintenance should include: leak repairs, cleaning,  sealing of pipe chases, and proper storage and disposal of paper and  recyclables.

4.4 Parents must be made aware of Middletown Public Schools Pest  Management policy and procedures.

a. A description of the schools IPM will be provided to parents at the  beginning of each school year and the IPM policy and procedures will  be located on the school facilities website.

b. Parents are to be encouraged to ask questions, report problems and  seek information about MPS’s IPM policies and procedures.

5. ** Record Keeping **– Each school will keep a log of pest sightings, pesticide  notification forms, a pest application record and MSDSs for all pesticides used in  its buildings or on its grounds. Work Requests will be used to inform Facilities  Management of the possible need to call the school system pest control  contractor. The IPM Coordinator and the school systems contractor will  determine, based on a log of pest sightings, if a pesticide is the best choice of  action. Copies of the contractors Service Report Form will be kept in a school  specific file in the IPM Coordinators office.

Policy Adopted: June 19, 2003

Revised & Reviewed - December 18, 2025

Annual Review Due - December  2026