HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A rodent infestation in the kitchen area of a local school has parents upset and demanding answers from district officials. Parents claim they were never informed about the problem.
The rodent infestation was discovered last Thursday at the West Hazleton Elementary-Middle School. Nearly 1,000 students attend the school.
School district officials say they acted immediately after the problem was discovered.
The State Department of Agriculture, which regulates and oversees facilities that handle or sell food, Such as schools and restaurants, responded to a complaint about the rodent infestation last Thursday.
According to the State Inspector's report obtained by the I-Team, there is evidence of rodent and insect infestation in the dry storage and food prep areas of the kitchen.
According to that inspection, snack items and bread were potentially contaminated because of rodent feces, damage from gnawing, and the new mouse droppings were too numerous to count.
Parents learned about the problem over the weekend.
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"When I read everything stating that this was happening in the cafeteria, you're seeing chew marks. That's unacceptable. I don't need my son or any other child getting sick for no reason whatsoever," said Sean Bradley, the parent of a seven-year-old who attends the school.
"My concern is not only for my grandson, but every child that is in that school. This is unacceptable," Cynthia Bradley, whose grandson attends school, told 28/22 News.
Superintendent of schools, Dr. Brian Uplinger, says the district acted as soon as the problem was discovered.
"There may be food near the cafeteria, but there was nothing in the cafeteria. Instead, it was relegated to the back of the kitchen, where dry food was. These situations are resolved with use of bins now. Have those in those plastic storage bins," Dr. Uplinger stated.
Dr. Uplinger tells 28/22 News an extermination company was brought in to address the rodent infestation.
"The State Inspectors are in every building monthly. It was addressed immediately when the information came to our attention," Dr. Uplinger added.
"Their concerns were why weren't parents notified family sooner?" 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked.
"There was not a statement made. When this situation occurred. We wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could prior to making that statement. We do that all the time, we want to make sure we have all the facts before anything was out to the public," Dr. Uplinger replied.
The school kitchen has been closed and meals are being brought there from another school until the state re-inspects the kitchen area and gives the all clear.
That re-inspection will take place on Wednesday.
A statement from the district reads:
The Hazleton Area School District is committed to providing a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment for all students and staff. At West Hazleton Elementary/Middle School, we have taken proactive and aggressive steps to address and eliminate the recent rodent concerns. Working closely with licensed pest control professionals, we have implemented a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan, including enhanced cleaning protocols, sealing of potential entry points, and ongoing monitoring to ensure continued progress.Thanks to these swift and coordinated efforts, we are already seeing very positive results, and we will continue to maintain these high standards moving forward. The health, safety, and well-being of our school community remains our top priority, and we are proud of the immediate and effective action taken to resolve this matter.Dr. Brian Uplinger - Hazleton Area School District
PA Department of Agriculture
You can read the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's full report from April 10.
