June 16, 2014 CALIFORNIA SAFE SCHOOLS – OUR RIGHT TO KNOW- EDUCATE ADVOCATE -SOCIETY FOR POSITIVE ACTION- DEL AMO ACTION COMMITTEE – MALIBU UNITES- COALTION FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT- ACTION NOW- LOVE & RESPECT YOUTH FOUNDATION- COMMUNITY DREAMS – CALIFORNIA KIDS IAQ – CARPINTERIA TRANSITION TO ORGANICS- LAURA SCOTT IPM COORDINATOR, AMERICAN BEAUTY CLASSICS HOA- The Honorable Luis Alejo Chair, Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Members State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 1405 (DESAULNIER) OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED Dear Chairman Alejo and Committee Members: California Safe Schools, a children’s environmental health and justice coalition who has worked for more than sixteen years on Integrated Pest Management policies and programs in schools throughout California, and the organizations listed below, stand in opposition of SB 1405 by Senator DeSaulnier unless amended. While we appreciate the amendments that have been taken, these crucial issues remain unaddressed, and we respectfully request that the bill be amended to address the following health and safety concerns for the 6 million California k-12 public school students, and hundreds of thousands of teachers and schools employees: · The term “school designee” lacks specificity. The qualifications for school designee are vague, and the process by which the designee is selected is unclear and ambiguous. There is nothing in the description that requires the school designee to have any background in pesticide use, no details are provided about how this position functions, makes decisions, or who oversees and is responsible and accountable for his/her actions. Yet this “school designee” in SB 1405 would be given the authority to create an IPM policy, make decisions on the selection of pesticide products, application methods, and create criteria for emergency applications. ‘ · SB 1405 does not explicitly require that parents, teachers, school boards, or school stakeholders are allowed to participate in the creation of the IPM policy, including the selection of pesticides used on a school site, or criteria for a pesticide emergency. Legislation of this magnitude which effects public health should require some provision for due process so that the public may participate in the creation of a policy which is designed to protect children and other school stakeholders in public schools. In its current state, the decision to include, or not to include, parents would be left to individual schools and school districts. The “school designee” according to SB 1405 would be given the authority to create this pesticide plan/policy alone. California k-12 public schools are supported by local, state, and federal funds, and there are standing school stakeholder committees at almost all schools. Stakeholders weigh in on curriculum development, and should be able to participate in a discussion related to the use of pesticides in their schools. Successful sustainable IPM plans and policies evolve through an open, and transparent, democratic process, which requires collaboration with all school stakeholders. For all of the foregoing reasons, we must oppose SB 1405, unless amended. Respectfully, Robina Suwol, Executive Director California Safe Schools Dr. Rhonda Jessum Founder Our Right to Know Kristie R. Sepulveda -Burchit Executive Director Educate Advocate Shabaka Heru Executive Director Society for Positive Action Cynthia Babich Executive Director Del Amo Action Committee Jennifer deNicola President Malibu Unites Jesse N Marquez Executive Director Coalition For A Safe Environment Mitzi Shpak Executive Director Action Now Deborah Bell-Holt Executive Director Love & Respect Youth Foundation Drew Wood Executive Director California Kids IAQ Ricardo Pulido Executive Director Community Dreams Trish Stone-Damen Founder Carpinteria Transition to Organics Laura A.Scott Integrated Pest Management Coordinator American Beauty Classics HOA Canyon Country
Posted on: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 05:08:59 +0000
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