Bellingham Public Schools utilizes Roundup annually or bi-annually, and lawn fertilizer as it鈥檚 pesticides to control weeds and/or fertilize grass. 聽Contractors are hired to respond to pest incidents only when necessary.
The district will comply with all legal requirements for record keeping regarding the application of pesticides to school grounds or school facilities. This includes creation of an annual summary report of pesticide usage and compliance with state department of agriculture rules regarding record keeping. Such records will be available on request by interested persons under the state Public Records Act and other laws.
Procedure 6895 will be printed and distributed upon request to employees, students and parents. At least 48 hours before the application of a pesticide to school facilities or school grounds, the聽district will notify parents and staff of the planned application in writing, including the heading,
鈥淣otice: Pesticide Application.鈥 This notice will be posted in a prominent place in the building office in addition to being provided to parents and staff. This pre-notification is not required if the school grounds or facilities will not be occupied by students for two days following the application of the pesticide. If the application is not made within 48 hours of the notification, another notification will be made prior to the application. This pre-notification is not required in the case of any emergency application of pesticides to a school facility, such as an application to control stinging pests, but full notification will be made as soon as possible after the application.
Following the application of a pesticide to school facilities (structures and vehicles) a sign shall will be posted at the location of the application. The notice will be at least 8.5 x 11 inches in size, will include the heading, 鈥淣otice: Pesticide Application,鈥 and will state the product name; date, time and specific location of the application; the pest for which the application was made; and a contact name and telephone number. The notice will remain posted for 24 hours, or longer if required by the label of the pesticide.
Following the application of a pesticide to school grounds notice will be posted at the location of the application and at each primary point of entry to the grounds. The notice will be at least 4 x 5 inches in size and state that the landscape recently has been treated with a pesticide and provide a contact name and telephone number. The notice will remain posted for 24 hours, or longer if required by the label of the pesticide.
These notices are not required for the application of antimicrobial pesticides (substances used to sanitize or disinfect for microbial pests: viruses, bacteria, algae and protozoa). These notices are not required for the placement of insect or rodent bait that are not accessible to children.