Superintendent of Schools for Bethel, Conn., Gary Chesley, said his school district took steps three years ago to eliminate pesticides, but when pesticide were used, they followed safety regulations to the letter.

Nancy Alderman, president of the advocacy group Environment and Human Health, said it's taken years to pass a provision in the pesticide bill to extend the prohibition to the full school grounds and playing fields.

"It's important that the park and recreation departments that take care of the fields, and for PTAs that monitor what goes on in schools to know about the law,'' she said. "This is ground-breaking legislation."

The New York State Senate has also approved a bill banning pesticides on school playgrounds and ball fields. The measure still needs approval from the governor and Assembly to become law. The Assembly previously passed a similar bill, so the two chambers must agree on a reconciliation bill.

Alderman called this a model law that town leaders could apply to town properties. She said she's not opposed to pesticides in emergency situations, but for the most part pesticides have been used for cosmetic purposes. "Anyone who doubts the viability of this (ban) should visit the Cheshire High School fields and see for themselves. All Cheshire fields are organic and they are gorgeous," Alderman told the local media.

Connecticut Department of Education spokesman Thomas Murphy said there are alternatives to pesticide use, and that ?EUR??,,????'?????<