Pest Management
The district manages problem pests through an integrated pest management (IPM) program.
On occasion, Lake Washington School District has the need to use pesticides (i.e., herbicides and insecticides) to manage vegetation and insect pests. To the extent possible with available resources, the goal of the integrated pest management (IPM) program is to protect human health, reduce loss from pest damage and minimize environmental pollution and human exposure to pesticides.
Pest management solutions can range from monitoring the problem to baiting and trapping or to spraying. Alternate, non-chemical pest control methods will be used as a first approach whenever possible. Pesticides are used only when necessary and in the least toxic formulation required. Spraying is done when monitoring indicates that vegetation or an insect pest will cause unacceptable medical, economic, or aesthetic injury.
There is no fixed schedule for IPM treatments.
If the district deems it necessary to use chemical sprays to manage vegetation and/or insect pests, the following guidelines are adhered to:
- Whenever possible, pesticide spraying treatments will be managed at times when school is not in session. When it is necessary to apply pesticides when school is in session, the areas will be clearly marked and isolated from the school population.
- Pesticides used in the district must be pre-approved by the Facilities Maintenance Supervisors.
- Records of applications and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for approved materials are on file at the Support Services Center.
- Notification and posting of pesticide treatments will be made in accordance with applicable state laws.
Except in emergencies, in the highly unlikely case where pesticides may be used when school is in session, pre-notification information will be sent home with all students at the site where the application takes place.