Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) As a requirement of its IPM Policy, each school shall develop and implement a site-specific IPM Plan that describes how the school will manage pests through IPM methods and comply with all aspects of the IPM Policy. The site specific IPM Plan shall be maintained at the school for which it was developed. The Department shall provide a model IPM Plan for schools and make this available as part of training and compliance assistance materials.
1. For public schools, the local school board, in collaboration with the school building administrator (principal), is responsible for the development of the IPM Plan for the school.
2. For charter schools and non-public schools, the board of trustees or principal or the lead administrator is responsible for the development of the IPM Plan.
3. The IPM Plan shall contain at minimum, the following:
i. The school's goals regarding the management of pests and the use of pesticides;
ii. The school's site-specific needs regarding the management of pests;
iii. A description of how each component of the school's IPM Policy will be implemented at the school; and
iv. The name of the IPM coordinator designated by the appropriate school authority identified in accordance with 7:30-13.1(b)2.
(b) When implementing its IPM Plan, each school shall use IPM methods to determine when to control pests, including:
1. Considering the full range of pest management options, including no action at all;
2. Using non-pesticide pest management methods whenever possible; and
3. Choosing to use a pesticide based on a review of all other available options and a determination that these options are not effective or not reasonable.
i. When it is determined that a pesticide must be used, low impact pesticides and methods are preferred and shall be considered for use first.
(c) As part of its IPM Plan, the school and the IPM coordinator shall be responsible for educating the school community, including, but not limited to, teachers, staff, students, and parents or guardians, about potential pest problems and IPM methods used to achieve pest management objectives.
1. School staff involved with implementation of the school IPM Policy and Plan shall be trained by the IPM coordinator in appropriate components of IPM as it pertains to the school environment.
2. Students, their parents or guardians, and school staff, shall be provided information and instructed by the IPM coordinator on how they can contribute to the success of IPM in their school.
(d) Annually, at the close of each school year, each school shall report on the effectiveness of its IPM Plan and make recommendations for improvements as needed.
1. For public schools, the principal shall be responsible for reporting to the local school board.
2. For non-public schools and charter schools, the lead administrator or principal shall be responsible for reporting to the governing boards.
