Subcommittee reviews pest-management policy after notification questions about rodenticide pilot

At its April 29 meeting, the Beverly Public Schools Finance & Facilities subcommittee conducted a first reading of the district pest-management policy and the required Integrated Pest Management Plans (IPMs).

Emma Pugllesy, director of finance, told members that the buildings-and-grounds director alerted staff that tamper-resistant bait stations had been deployed at the high school under a limited-notification exemption; staff said the stations are placed in areas inaccessible to students and staff and that signs and parent notices are used when required. "We have been using short-term deployment of bait stations when appropriate to help mitigate rodent problems," Pugllesy said.

Members raised concerns about broad umbrella terms such as "rodenticide" and "pesticide," which can cover anything from ant baits to treatments for poison ivy or wasp nests, and asked whether the policy should require posting in common areas even when federal or state exemptions allow limited notification. Pugllesy replied that the IPMs and policy specify when notice will be provided, that the district will update presentation links, and that she will provide additional detail if members want specific examples.

The subcommittee treated the item as a first reading and voted to recommend it forward for the full committee’s required second reading; no substantive policy changes were adopted at this meeting. Committee members asked staff to check statutory notification requirements before proposing any changes to the policy language.