This letter serves to notify you that the Renton School District, on occasion, has a need to use pesticides in order to cost effectively manage vegetation and insect pests. Pesticides are only one method utilized in the District’s Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) to help control vegetation and pests. IPM is a comprehensive approach that employs a combination of strategies to keep pest numbers low enough to prevent unacceptable damage or annoyance. Pesticides are used only when absolutely required and only in the least toxic formulations available.

The goal of IPM is to protect human health while reducing losses from pest damage. Pesticide applications are only made when careful monitoring has indicated that unwanted pests or vegetation will cause an unacceptable economic, aesthetic, or health impact.

In cases where the District deems is necessary to use pesticides to manage vegetation and/or insect pests at a secondary school, the following procedures will be followed:

1. When it is deemed necessary, pest control applications can be made when school is in session, as long as students are not present in the direct area being treated.
2. After any application is completed, signs will be posted at the site of the application and at each primary point of entry to the campus.  The signs will remain in place for at least 24 hours.
3. There will be no  pre-notification of any pest control applications made when the school will be unoccupied for at least two consecutive days after application.
4. Pre-notification information will be posted at the school office 24 hours in advance of an application and shall include product name, the intended date and time of the product application, the location, the type of pest to be controlled, and the name and number of the District contact person.
5. Emergency applications may be made during the night and morning hours before or after school is in session when required, to control pests such as stinging insects that would pose a direct health and safety risk to students and/or staff. When an emergency application is made, notices will be posted at the place of application and in the main office.  The information on the notice will include product name, pesticide that was applied, date and time of application, the location of the application, the type of pest to be controlled, and the name and number of the District contact person.
6. All pesticides used are pre-approved by the RSD Director of Facilities Services.
7. All persons applying pesticides will be trained through the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
8. Records of all applications and copies of Material Safety Data Sheets will be kept on file at the Facilities, Operations and Maintenance Office (FOMC).

Todd Simanton

Director of Facilities Services