School board will end most spraying

Published 1:00 pm Saturday, August 17, 2002

It’s going to take a bit more work to get rid of weeds at South Whidbey schools in the future.

On Monday, the South Whidbey Board of Education approved a “green policy” for controlling weeds and pests, nearly eliminating chemical pesticides and herbicides from the school grounds supplies inventory.

Integrated Pest Management, which was unanimously approved by the board, calls for preventive and non-chemical control of weeds, pests and plant diseases whenever possible.

Mark Wahl, a member of the Whidbey Island No Spray Coalition, said he is pleased with the board’s decision.

“It’s a step in the right direction.”

The policy is a response to the new Washington law, “The Children’s Pesticide Right to Know Act.” The law requires school districts to provide annual notices that describe the school’s pest and weed control policies and methods, post notices when chemical pesticides and herbicides are used, and notify parents, guardians and staff before applications.

Rick Pitt, the district’s maintenance supervisor, said the district policy is part of providing a safe learning and playing environment for the district’s students and staff, as well as the public.

“Health and safety is our first concern,” he said.

The policy allows for use of certain chemical controls only as a last resort. The district will continue to use the herbicide Roundup on the courtyard at the high school, at the high and middle school tracks, and on baseball fields.

The chemicals are still necessary, Pitt said, because a vinegar-based weed killer has been less than effective.

Since January 2002, the district has applied products including organic fertilizer, Roundup and BT eight times.