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Edmonds School District

Grounds maintenance

Pesticide application practices

We use an IPM approach to control unwanted vegetation, plant disease and pest populations. We use pest and vegetation management methods that minimize the risks to human health, wildlife and the environment while remaining economically feasible for the district. These methods include pro-active building and landscape design, sanitation, exclusion, education, the use of cultural, mechanical, biological controls and the use of pesticides. Pesticide is a broad-based term and it includes the herbicides and insecticides listed. Herbicides are used to control weeds and insecticides are used almost exclusively to control ants. The following is a list of most often used pesticides:

  • Bromadiolone Rodent Bait

  • Casoron™ Pre-Emergent Herbicide

  • Aquacap® Pre-Emergent Herbicide

  • Candor® Herbicide

  • Glyphosate (Ranger®) Herbicide

  • Moss Out® Herbicide

  • Terro® Ant Bait

  • Tempo® Insecticide

  • Advion Ant Gel

The notification process

The district will give a 48-hour notice of a scheduled pesticide application at any site in writing and will post the message in a prominent location on the property. The notice will be on an 8 ½-by-11 inch placard and will provide the following information:

  • Name of the pesticide being used.

  • Intended date and time of application.

  • Location to which the pesticide is to be applied.

  • Pest being controlled.

  • Name and phone number of the district contact person.

Interested parents, guardians or staff may make a written request to receive a 48-hour advance notification prior to a pesticide application. Information on the process is available at your student’s school. Those who have made a written request for notification will be contacted by email, phone, postal mail, or receive it through “kid mail.”

Notices of application

Notice of pesticide applications will also be posted at the school at the time of treatment. For landscape application, a 4-by-5 inch placard will be posted at the application location and at major access points to the site. For interior, structural and exterior pest applications, notice will be placed at the site of treatment and at access points to the area/rooms(s) on an 8½-by-11 inch placard. Notices will state the type of pesticide used, date and time of application, location where the pesticide will be applied, pest to be controlled, and name and phone number of the district contact person. Notices will remain in place for at least 24 hours from the time the application is completed.

In the event the pesticide label requires a restricted entry interval greater than 24 hours, the notification placard will remain in place consistent with the restricted entry interval time, as required by the pesticide label. The district is not liable for the removal of notices by unauthorized persons. The district will not be held liable for personal property damage or bodily injury resulting from the unauthorized removal of notices.

Emergency application situations

Pre-notification is not required when an emergency school facility application is made to control wasp/hornets, a pest that can cause injury, or a pest presenting an immediate health risk. However, notification consistent with a normal application will occur as soon as possible after an emergency application is conducted. Pre-notification is also not required if the application is made when the school is not occupied by students for at least 48 hours after application. Applications of antimicrobial pesticides or the placement of insect or rodent baits do not require notification or placards. Pesticides may be applied by district staff or commercial applicators. If required, pesticides may be applied anywhere on district property.

For more information on pest management within the Edmonds School District, to obtain our annual summary of pesticide use or obtain application records, please contact the maintenance manager, at 425-431-7244.

Asbestos Management Plan

The district developed an Asbestos Management Plan for each school, as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986. The act requires schools to be inspected to identify any asbestos-containing building materials; any such suspected materials must be located, samples taken (or assumed) and rated according to condition and potential hazard.

Every three years the district conducts a re-inspection to determine whether the condition of the known or assumed asbestos-containing materials (ACM) has changed and to make recommendations on managing or removing the materials. A walk-through inspection is also made every six months.

The following buildings contain no known asbestos-containing materials, therefore no operations and maintenance programs or future inspections are required:  Edmonds-Woodway, Lynnwood, Meadowdale and Mountlake Terrace high schools; Meadowdale and Alderwood middle schools; Beverly, Cedar Valley, Cedar Way, Chase Lake, Hazelwood, Lynnwood, Lynndale, Madrona, Maplewood, Martha Lake, Meadowdale, Mountlake Terrace, Seaview, Spruce, Terrace Park and Westgate elementary schools. Non-school sites include the Educational Services Center and the Warehouse.  

It is the intention of the district to comply with all federal and state regulations controlling asbestos and to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure students and staff a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work.

Interested persons are welcome to review a copy of the Asbestos Management Plan, which is located in each school and at the district’s Maintenance Office; 20601 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood. All inquiries regarding the plan and/or asbestos-related issues should be directed to the District Asbestos Program Coordinator at 425-431-7244.

Water quality testing

The district tests water quality every year in every district building from approximately 300 drinking fountains and water sources used for cooking. They are tested for Cadmium, Copper and Lead. Water testing is done in September or August as per Department of Health protocol standards. In the 11 years of this practice, there have been no concerns identified. Questions regarding water quality may be directed to the maintenance manager, at 425-431-7244.