Shannon Sessions For the Herald
Soon after the city imposed a moratorium on pesticide use, formally banning them for a year last June while it researched the subject, Trudy Bialic of Lynnwood, who backed the ban, said she approached the Edmonds School District about its policies.
Bret Carlstad, director of property management at the Edmonds district, at that time said the district didn’t start a moratorium, halting the use of pesticides, but did postpone the their use for about six months while they audited their practices.
"The audit found that the district is very progressive in its practices," Carlstad said, "and the district only uses pesticides in a limited, targeted fashion."
A new law specifically targeting schools and child care facilities regarding pesticide use will be in effect July 1.
The law states that 48 hours before the use of pesticides somewhere, officials need to post a notice in the main office of the school building. Also, if individuals ask to be notified, they will also receive word 48 hours ahead of time, school district safety specialist Claire Olsovsky said.
She added if they use the chemicals during the summer or while school is not in session, they wouldn’t have to make the notifications.
The school district also still goes by state law and posts signs at the entrances of an area being sprayed with a sign stating what had been sprayed. The state requires that sign be up for at least 24 hours after the chemicals have been sprayed.
"We care about kids educationally and their health," Carlstad said. "We are working to care for both the human as well as the environment in a reasonable and responsible manner.
"If we didn’t care about kids we wouldn’t be in this business."
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