Date: October 10, 2023

Dear Parent/Guardian, or Staff Member:

The Augusta School Department is required to annually inform you of our policies for handling the Asbestos Operation & Management program and the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Below is information regarding each topic.

Asbestos Operation and Maintenance Program: Facilities that have the presence of asbestos-containing materials are required to maintain a written Operation and Maintenance program. This is maintained by the Director of Buildings and Grounds at the Superintendent’s Office which is located at 40 Pierce Drive, Suite 3. Additional information is also maintained at each facility. This information includes a 6-month surveillance program and a 3-year AHERA inspection conducted by an independent company as outlined in the State Regulations. The following facilities have been identified as having asbestos floor tile, ceiling tile or pipe insulation; Sylvio Gilbert Elementary School, Lillian Hussey Elementary School and the Capital Area Technical Center. The designated contact for any questions is Jonathan Stonier, Director of Buildings and Grounds.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): The Augusta School Department uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to the control of insects, rodents, microorganisms, weeds and other pests in school buildings and on school grounds. IPM combines a variety of methods for managing pests including monitoring, improved sanitation and food storage practices, pest exclusion and removal, biological control and pesticides. The objective of the IPM program is to provide effective pest control while minimizing pesticide use.

Non-chemical methods will always be implemented first when dealing with pests. However, pesticides may be necessary to control individual pest problems. When this happens the school department will use the least hazardous effective pesticide feasible.

When required by law, parents/guardians and school staff will be notified at least five days in advance of specific pesticide applications. When required by law, pesticide application notices will be posted in school and on school grounds. Notification need not be given for pesticide applications recognized by law or regulations to pose little or no risk of exposure to students and staff.

A copy of the school system’s IPM/Pest management policy is available for review in the central office. The school also keeps records or prior pesticide applications and pesticides used. You may review these records, a copy of the policy and the Maine’s “Pesticide in Schools” regulation (Chapter 27 of the Department of Agriculture Board of Pesticides Control “Standards for Pesticide application and Public Notification in Schools”) by contacting Jon Stonier, Director of Buildings and Grounds.

If you have any questions about the Asbestos or the IPM program please feel free to call me at 626-2468 Ext. 3170 or by email at jon.stonier@augustaschools.org. Thank you for taking time to read over this information.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Stonier

Director of Building and Grounds

Farrington Elementary School

Asbestos Annual Parent/ Community Letter 2023