KELSEYVILLE — Concerns regarding the safety of the Kelseyville Unified School District (KUSD) use of RoundUp herbicide on school grounds were discussed at the KUSD Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday.
The topic was brought up by concerned parents at the KUSD board meeting on April 8, which led to the discussion being added to the Tuesday agenda.
“This is something I don”t want the district to get in trouble with,” KUSD Director of Building, Grounds and Maintenance Kyle Reams said.
Reams has kept records of pesticide and herbicide application for the past 12 years to ensure transparency. By law, the district has to keep record for four years.
The herbicide is used on walkways, in parking lots and around buildings, according to Reams. Tall grass around walkways and buildings that harbor pests.
“We have problems with snakes and this is a way to help get rid of snakes and other vermin,” Reams said.
Professional exterminators have applied the herbicide and other pesticides for the past couple years, which means the chemicals are not stored on school grounds, according to Reams.
The district tried using various other brands throughout the years but “they were a waste of time and a waste of money,” Reams said.
No action was taken, as it was decided that the use of the herbicide was done properly and cautiously enough to continue its use.
“This is for the safety of the students, of our staff and the overall general betterness of our district,” Reams said.
J. W. Burch, IV is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 900-2022 or at jburch@record-bee.com.
