North Central School IPM Working Group Conference Call Agenda Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 8th at 10:00am CT
1. Roll: Anastasia Becker, Tony Pierce, Marcia Anderson, Frannie Miller, Tom Green,
Mariel Snyder, Seth Dibblee
2. Educational Component: Legacy Pesticides
Tony Pierce is a former high school and middle school science teacher and now works in
the Compliance and Enforcement Section of the Hazardous Waste Program for the
Missouri Department of Natural Resources. His current work includes working with
schools to address hazardous waste management and disposal concerns and he will be
talking with us today about legacy pesticides.
Tony emphasized the importance of understanding how to speak with school staff about
chemicals. He worked at a school where there was a grant to support the proper disposal
of pesticides and chemicals and when it came time to walk though the school it turned out
that a teacher had retired and a number of old pesticides were found in her coat closet. A
common issue seems to be that teachers do not communicate and tend to hoard chemicals
that they do not use anymore and administrators and teachers get confused about
disposal. As a regulator, Tony helps them handle how to dispose of chemicals when it
comes time to do so. Another school that Tony worked with had a problem with empty
chemical/pesticide containers. This is one of the biggest obstacles concerning proper
pesticide disposal.
One recommendation is have schools work with their local agricultural dealers to help
eliminate their waste and provide the opportunity for high school students to build
relationships within the community.
Q&A
Anastasia: How do you encourage teachers to get students involved?
Tony: One school Tony was working with had a disposal program that had discontinued
in their region. He provided teachers with the contact information of individuals who had
been working with USDA Extension and University Extension. As part of the school’s
agricultural club, a recycling event was held for all farmers in the area. The event was
successful and they plan to have another collection event early spring, just after spray
season.
Another challenge is funding. The Hazardous Waste Program received funding in 20052006 through Homeland Security but has not received this type of funding since. The
grand funds covered the characterization of unknown chemical solutions, packaging and
disposal.
Anastasia: Do you provide any education on how to avoid problems in the first place?
Tony: In the past, education funding has been put aside. In recent years with a new
pesticide program developing, education has become more of a major component. They
are currently working on the template for educational materials and hope to have
something up and running by next year.
Seth: In some jurisdictions there are places equipped to handle periodic hazardous waste
materials. Is this happening in Missouri?
Tony: Schools are regulated so they cannot participate in programs such as these, where
as homes are exempt. Most collection centers are not open to school drop off.
3. State updates
a. Nebraska
University of Nebraska—Lincoln had their half day educational meeting for the
IPM coalition on Aug 5. They had around 25 participants with presentations about
diagnosing mystery bites/delusory parasitosis, ticks and mosquitoes/mosquito
control. The next coalition meeting will be Oct 14th and they’ll have someone
from the health department discussing pesticide poisonings.
b. Missouri
The school IPM working group is reactivating and is meeting in September. The
group is hoping to work more with schools and get more information about
minimizing waste and safe disposal practices. There will be a School IPM display
at the Missouri Plant Managers Annual Conference.
c. EPA region 5: The fiscal year ends on September 30th so now is a busy time.
Seth spoke at a presentation at the Illinois Association School Business Officials,
Facility Maintenance Credentials Program, September 9th. On September 10th
Seth gave a webinar to the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance. A big travel
project is concluding on September 25th in White Earth, Minnesota. A childcare
walk through will take place at a building with some pest issues.
d. U.S EPA: Marcia:
i. In August IPM Center of Expertise had a webinar for mosquito school
environments; 291 people registered and over 50 schools were
represented.
ii. Next webinar is September 30th at 2:00pm ET, Creating Tick Safe
Schools, Thomas Mather of University of Rhode Island will be speaking
with Kathy Murray and Marcia. This webinar is part of a series of seven
webinars that will take place once a month on a Tuesday at 2:00pm ET.
iii. Oct 21st, Basics of School IPM
iv. Nov, Managing Outdoor School Pests
v. Dec 16th, Bed Bugs in Schools with Dini Miller, Susan Jennings and
Marcia
vi. Jan 27th, Keeping Rodents out of Schools with Dr. Bobby Corrigan and
Dr. Claudia Riegal
vii. Feb 24th, Dealing with Nuisance Birds Around Schools
Next call: Monday, October 6th at 10:00am CT