Operations

Notifications

Asbestos Notification
The Bethel School District has an asbestos management plan for each school building, which outlines procedures for controlling building materials that contain asbestos.

Lead in Drinking Water Sample Results
The Bethel School District performs water testing for each school building and has a program for reducing lead exposure from drinking water as necessary.

Annual Notification of Pesticide Applications
To help keep our parents and community informed of any application of pesticides to our grounds, the Bethel School District will provide a safe, healthy and attractive environment for the students, staff and community by implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. IPM practices will be used to prevent and reduce pest problems with a “common sense” approach. When any pest (insect, rodent or weed) reaches an unacceptable level and impacts the school environment I school classrooms, school kitchens or playgrounds we will utilize all pest management options starting with those that have the least impact, and if necessary, up to and including the use of chemicals. To keep our parents, staff and community informed of the application of any pesticides to our schools or grounds by certified district personnel or by outside contractors and according to RCW 17.21.410 and RCW.17.21.415 and School Board Policy 6895 the Grounds Maintenance Department will provide the following information:

Schools will have a notification posting placard in place at least 48 hours before a pesticide application is applied.  There will be a sign posted “48 Hour Notice: Pesticide Application” in the school or building office with details containing:

There will also be Post application signs posted in the physical areas of application for a minimum 24 hours.

If you would like to be pre-notified of a pesticide application to a specific site or location or in general, please provide a written response with name and contact information to Michael Rushton, Director of Facilities.  You will be contacted at least 48 hours before the intended application unless the following actions occur:

All application records and the annual summary are available from the Maintenance Department.

This notification will be sent home with students at the start of the school year newly enrolled students will be given this information as well as newly hired employees. This information can be found on the district’s website. Schools are encouraged to discuss IPM practices and annual notifications at orientations, on websites and at PTA activities as a proactive way to provide this information to parents and employees.

Bethel School District applies these actions in order to keep the facilities in the best possible condition for classroom education, child nutrition, athletic and recreational activities and to promote great pride in our facilities.

If you have any questions regarding our policies or methods please feel free to call Michael Rushton, Director of Facilities at 253.800.4411.

• Name of pesticide
• Date and time of scheduled application
• Specific Location of where pesticide is to be applied
• Name of pest to be controlled
• Name and number of contact person for more information
• Posting Placards will be on Bright Orange background for easy identification
• The prenotification will not occur if the school facility application is made when the school is not occupied by students for at least two consecutive days after the application.
• The prenotification will not occur if any emergency school facility application for control of any pest that poses an immediate human health or safety threat, such as an application to control stinging insects. When an emergency school facility application is made, notification consistent with the school’s notification system shall occur as soon as possible after the application.

Bethel School District’s construction department is responsible for the planning, designing and implementing of the buildings throughout the district, along with the help of selected community partners/businesses.

The custodial department works hard to maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout Bethel School District. Our mission is to provide a wholesome learning environment that enables students to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values needed to realize their maximum potential.

This high level of service can be achieved only by dedicated employees who love what they do and want the best for our students.

The risk management office is responsible various services. As our name describes, we are responsible for “managing” district liability and property exposure. In the case of a claim either for or against the district, it is our responsibility to work with our insurance carrier to investigate and process those claims. Based on a preventative goal, we coordinate the night security patrol of district property and provide extra security patrols when needed.

Accident Prevention Program

Our department runs the Accident Prevention Program, established to promote safety for students and staff. This area includes review and resolution of safety concerns that often include indoor air issues. We conduct the monthly district safety committee meetings at which all accidents are reviewed and safety issues investigated.

School safety inspections

We also work with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the district insurance carrier to do school safety and health inspections.

Emergency management

In the area of emergency management, we review and coordinate school and district emergency plans. This includes creating and maintaining emergency preparedness notebooks, emergency procedures flip charts and emergency containers at each location.

Insurance claims

Puget Sound Workers’ Compensation Trust is our private labor and industries insurance carrier. A representative of the human resources department manages claims between the district and the Trust. Operations then works with human resources to coordinate the claims by managing the claim paperwork.

Hazard Mitigation Plan

• We are committed to the safety our students and staff.  To make sure that our schools are well prepared in the event of a disaster, the Operations Department has adopted a Hazard Mitigation Plan.  This plan allows the district to identify and respond to potential hazards.  It also ensures that our district can access federal funds should a disaster occur.

• View the current plan here.

Links

Claim for Damages Form

MSDSonline

Online IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) for Schools

The Bethel School District is a proud steward of our environment.  We actively pursue conservation and recycling efforts across all of our buildings. In 2015, all of our school received EPA EnergyStars.  Other recent awards include:

• Cenergistic Chairman's Sustainability Award
• DA District of Distinction
• Energy Pacesetter Award
• EPA Leader Award for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• EPA Leader Top Performer Award

Background

Bethel started the Energy/Resource Conservation program in 2005 with the help of EnergyEducation, Inc., a company based in Texas and a newly hired Energy/ResourceConservation manager. At first, this innovative solution was meant capture underutilized resources and drive them back into the classrooms. When the economy faltered, the program became even more valuable. The increased efficiency allowed the district to better streamline its resources. Instead of budgeting for increased utility costs every year, the district was able to redirect program savings.

When it was first launched, the program focused on making sure that equipment, lights and computers were turned off when school buildings were not in use. As a ‘Culture ofConservation’ developed among students and staff, the program expanded and is now embedded in many of the building and operational decisions made by administration. The district is conscientious about how it plans to build, sustain and modernize facilities. Resource conservation is at the core of the design, systems and fixtures that are used.

Nine years into the Energy/Resource Conservation program, the goal remains the same - to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gases in electricity, natural gas, and water usage. By promoting energy savings, teaching people to make good everyday energy decisions, conducting building audits, improving scheduling of building usage, thoughtful replacement of aging equipment, and implementing green construction strategies, the program has thrived and grown. Recently, recycling and reduction of waste disposal expenses have been targeted by the program. Grant funds are also helping to improve energy efficiency, districtwide.

Additional help and training for the district’s energy program has been obtained through local partnerships, including the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, the state of Washington General Administration office and local utility companies.