City health inspectors uncover major rodent issues at Tenney School during summer program prep

Major rodent issues at Tenney School have sparked urgent discussions among Methuen School Committee members, following a recent health inspection that revealed significant cleanliness failures. During the June 26 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kuang disclosed that city health inspectors found alarming rodent-related problems, despite a $50,000 deep cleaning just three months prior.

Dr. Kuang expressed disappointment over the findings, stating, "Today's news of some major rodent-related issues at the Tenney was obviously disappointing, a surprise to us within the city." He emphasized the need for immediate action, including potentially bidding for a new rodent control company and increasing custodial staff at the school to ensure a safe environment for students participating in summer programs.

Committee member Robert DeZaglia, who has been actively involved in addressing the rodent problem since October, described his shock upon witnessing the conditions firsthand. "It was mortifying when I saw feces in the cafeteria," he said, highlighting a lack of communication and accountability among staff regarding pest control measures. DeZaglia pointed out that health inspectors had previously recommended specific actions, such as installing door sweeps, which had not been implemented.

The committee members voiced their frustrations over the ongoing issues, with some suggesting a need for a reevaluation of the district's janitorial services. Member Maxwell raised concerns about the effectiveness of the current cleaning protocols, stating, "We need to figure that out and we need to fix the problem, not just clean up the mess afterwards."

As the committee grapples with these challenges, there is a clear call for improved communication and accountability within the district. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the impending start of summer programs on July 7, with the health department set to conduct further inspections to ensure safety standards are met. The committee's discussions reflect a broader concern about the district's ability to maintain safe and clean facilities for its students, with members advocating for systemic changes to prevent future issues.