I am writing to you on behalf of the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) to inform you of an innovative new program that was implemented in all of our schools last year. The program is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and it involves combating pest infestations in schools with a variety of techniques, from sanitation and exclusion (screening, weather-stripping, repairing holes, etc.) to the use of a pest's natural enemies to control it, to chemical controls like pesticides. Because it relies on such a wide variety of techniques, IPM is generally more effective in controlling pests than so-called "traditional" methods of pest control. Because it minimizes reliance on pesticides, it is also generally more economical and safer in terms of the health and environment of your schools.

During the 1995-96 school year, IPM was first introduced to the MCCSC through a pilot program in three of its schools. In those schools, all monthly pesticide applications were terminated, and the custodians there were trained in IPM techniques like improved sanitation and monitoring of insect populations to determine w hen control measures are necessary. Because the pilot program was so successful, IPM was implemented in all eighteen of our schools starting in the fall of 1996. Since then, we have seen a ninety percent reduction in pesticide applications and a thirty-five percent decrease in pest control-related expenditures, and have just recently been awarded the Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention.

This year, we received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to help school corporations across the State of Indiana implement IPM programs of their own. As one school administrator to another, I encourage you to take part of this innoative program. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

John Carter, Director of Planning for the MCCSC

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