In addition, an Advisory Pest Control Policy and Pest Control Recommendations have been jointly drafted by the Indiana School Board Association, the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents and the Indiana Association of School Business Officials. These associations all support the adoption of a local policy that will reduce the potential for pesticide exposure of children and require notification to parents and guardians prior to pesticide applications. Although not required by law, these model recommendations have been written in the hopes that school corporations will adopt them or use them as a template to craft a pest control policy that is tailored to their needs. These advisory policies and recommendations are consistent with the principles and practices of IPM in Schools. In fact, adoption of a pest control policy is one of the most basic components of an IPM program.
Fewer pesticides mean less risk of exposure.
The IPM Program in Monroe County Schools received the 1997 Governors Award for Pollution Prevention, and is now serving as a state and national model for IPM in Schools. The Indiana IPM in Schools Program has been created to provide the training and technical support schools need to start an IPM program. Training opportunities in IPM principles and specific pest management techniques are available for school custodial and maintenance staff. We also provide tools and resources to help school administrators start an IPM program in their schools. The National School IPM Web site is a great place to start learning about IPM in Schools.