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Since 1995, all Texas public schools are required by state law to conduct all indoor and outdoor pest control activities according to integrated pest management (IPM) principles. Since this time there has been an ongoing demand from school districts for training for maintenance personnel and district IPM program coordinators. Under state law every public school district must appoint and train an IPM coordinator. Coordinator training must consist of six hours of an approved training program. Potential benefits of school IPM programs include improved indoor air quality, reduction of pesticide exposures among students and staff, and improved pest control. There are currently 3.945 million students in 7,162 campuses and 1,040 school districts around the state.
Extension entomology has taken a lead role in developing quality training and assistance programs for school districts needing to develop an IPM program. In 2001 the Southwest Technical Resource Center for IPM in Schools (SWTRC) was established with a seed grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A website, http://schoolipm.tamu.edu, and toll-free hotline (877-747-6872) have been established. The SWTRC website currently averages 2205 visits per month and can be used to access information as well as subscribe to a bi-monthly newsletter. The bi-monthly newsletter reaches 650 individuals directly from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and other interested parties throughout the U.S. The site also serves clientele from New Mexico Cooperative Extension, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension, Texas Structural Pest Control Board and the Texas Association of School Business Officials.
In 2003 the Southwest Technical Resource Center trained 205 school district staff and pest control operators (PCOs) at 13 training sites across the state of Texas. Mandatory training programs cover the school IPM law and regulations. In 2003 we began administering pre- and post-tests to all participants. In 2003 we averaged 27% improvement in understanding of IPM concepts.
In 2003 the SWTRC provided direct assistance to Lake Worth, Plano, West, Borger, Lewisville, Jefferson, McKinney, Tomball, East Chambers, Woodville, Clear Creek, Katy, Irving, Kingsville, and Calallen Independent School Districts. These schools were able to reduce pesticide use for major pests (insects, diseases and weeds) after these visits and gain a better understanding of integrated pest management.
In 2003 the SWTRC began the first award program of its kind in the nation to recognize those Texas school districts with outstanding IPM programs. Cash awards totaling $1,500 were possible thanks to a grant from the Washington, DC based group, RISE (Responsible Industry for Sound Environment). Winners of the first IPM Pride Awards were LaVega ISD, near Waco, and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. Both districts received widespread local and national media attention with the help of news releases prepared by the Center and the Department of Ag Communications.
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