Program Focus: School IPM Coordinator Education Program

Texas law requires public school districts to implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. To oversee the district IPM program, superintendents must appoint an employee to be the IPM Coordinator. Within six months of appointment, the IPM Coordinator must successfully complete an initial six-hour IPM training course approved by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Structural Pest Control Service. IPM Coordinators must then obtain six additional hours of continuing IPM education every three years. School districts are subject to unannounced inspections by TDA to determine compliance at any time. The fine for not being in compliance with this law can be up to $5,000 per day.

The ESC-2 School IPM Coordinator program is educational in nature only. The program offers both the required initial six-hour training for new IPM Coordinators and more advanced workshops for existing IPM Coordinators who need continuing IPM education. These workshops are approved by the Texas Department of Agriculture and comply with the requirements for the mandatory School IPM Coordinator training.

Additionally, the ESC-2 School IPM Coordinator program will seek to increase collaboration among regional IPM Coordinators and disseminate IPM information.

Ray Huffman
Betty Powell

ESC Region 2 Notes -- Wednesday, July 23, 2014