Rodent Problem Plagues Western PA Elementary School

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, PA — Rodents were found in a wall at Hopewell Elementary School, where a number of students became ill and forced the school to briefly switch to remote instruction earlier this month.

The rodent issue was confirmed by Hopewell Area School District Superintendent Jeff Beltz in a Dec. 15 letter to district families that recently was posted on the district's website.

"I appreciate your patience as the district works through the rodent issue discovered within a classroom and bathroom exterior wall," Beltz wrote.

"The odor has lessened significantly in the primary classroom wing, and the issue may be resolved. However, we will continue to search once winter break begins and rectify any issues that arise. Upon completion of the restoration process, the district will seek an air quality test and communicate results."

The letter was written the day the school had approximately 20 students leave throughout the day due to illness. Most symptoms were similar to those associated with gastroenteritis, Beltz said.

In a Dec. 18 followup letter, also recently posted on the district website, about 30 students left school because of illness on Dec. 16, while another 130 students were absent altogether. "We realize that some of those absences were for precautionary reasons as well as illness," Beltz wrote.

He said the state Department of Health has been in contact with the district. "To date, the (health department) has not made any conclusions or recommendations; however, the results of that investigation will be shared with families."

No update has been posted on the website since the Dec. 18 letter.

See both letters here.