NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — A rat appeared to fall from the ceiling inside Neptune Beach Elementary School. Once this photo surfaced on social media, Action News Jax asked the district: Is there a rat problem at the school?
Student Marvin Ley told us they were used to it.
“In my classroom, there was... a rat pooped in it,” he said.
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Action News Jax went to the school today and asked parents and students about the reports. For the kids, it was a known issue.
“I saw in my teacher’s classroom there was chewed-up rat biting from something and I saw that. I told miss (teacher), she said that she reported it so then I got super scared,” student Luna Lloyd said.
But guardians like Marvin Bayt were shocked.
“I didn’t know there was an issue but now I just found out — I didn’t find out from the school,” Bayt said.
“Did you know about the problem before they said they’d fix it?” Action News Jax asked.
“No, I had never heard about it. This is news to me,” said Father Daniel Williams.
The district told Action News Jax that it is aware of the problem and it is responding, adding each school receives monthly pest control services.
“Our team was aware of the issue at this school and is responding. In addition to the rapid response team for these types of issues, each school receives monthly pest control services,” Duval County Public Schools said.
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The school says reports of rodents require their largest response, including sealing holes — like the one seen in the picture — and deploying traps that won’t hurt students.
In a statement, the school said:
“School reports of rodents are the highest priority of our pest control efforts. Response typically includes:
• Identifying and eliminating sources of food,
• Closing windows and doorways to reduce access,
• Sealing holes or any potential access in roofs and walls, and
• Deploying traps without compromising student safety.”
“That’s definitely something that needs to be addressed and fixed, so I’m happy they are taking care of it,” said Williams.