Methuen Superintendent provides update regarding mice issues around the schools

METHUEN, Mass. — On Saturday, Methuen Superintendent of Schools Brandi Kwong wrote an update to families regarding mice issues around the towns schools.

Since September, the schools have had ongoing informal and formal inspections from the city regarding areas of concerns within each school. The inspections found an alarming amount of mice in the Donald P. Timony and Marsh. Tenney Grammar schools, alongside Methuen High.

“We take these issues very seriously and are committed to doing better.” Superintendent Kwong penned, “We have implemented a range of measures to address and resolve any building issues at every school effectively.”

Below are summary’s that provided countermeasures to fight off the mice:

1. Preventive Measures: We have sealed potential entry points, such as outside entrances and underground pipe openings, using materials like steel wool. These actions aim to reduce opportunities for pests to enter our buildings.
2. Collaboration with Experts: We are working closely with Pest End to implement baiting and trapping strategies, adhering to the requirements and limitations of public school environments.
3. Enhanced Cleaning Protocols: The Timony Grammar School, where the issue was most pronounced, is undergoing an intensive cleaning process. This includes disinfecting classrooms, removing items for thorough cleaning, and shampooing carpets. Our custodial staff has been working shifts on the weekends to ensure a clean and safe environment for our students and staff.
4. Focused Custodial Planning: Each supervising principal, in collaboration with their senior custodian, has developed weekly cleanliness plans. These plans target specific areas identified during inspections to ensure ongoing attention to high-priority spaces.
5. Facility Oversight: Our district Facilities Director and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations are prioritizing building maintenance needs to address and prevent future issues and supporting the weekly building plans.
6. Collaboration and Monitoring: Mayor Beauregard, School Committee Members Donovan and Shibilia, Assistant Superintendent Gosselin, Facilities Director Stella, and I are meeting weekly to review progress, address staffing needs, determine next steps, and prioritize capital improvement projects related to facilities and maintenance.
7. External Support: We have reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to conduct a free comprehensive review of our schools. This will include air quality assessments and visual inspections to provide us with additional data for prioritizing future work.

Schools will also be enacting new food consumption protocols, with grades K-8 eating their meals in the cafeteria and school faculty eating in their designated staff rooms. Also, all kitchen appliances in classrooms will be removed to further mitigate risks.

According to Kwong, the measures implemented have so far proven to have a positive impact.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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