MARYSVILLE, Wash. — A North Sound high school lost supplies and equipment over the summer -- and the district admits rats are to blame Marysville-Pilchuck High School has been fighting a rat infestation for years.
We asked the Marysville School District what they are doing about it and while the district would not conduct an interview, they sent out an email to their staff in response to our story. It said they realize rats are a problem and they are continuing to make efforts to try to address it, but some students and staff said they are simply fed up.
The teens who walk the halls of Marysville-Pilchuck High School said you have to watch your step.
"Our band teacher says if you see little dots on the ground it might not be turf,” junior Marlane Perkins said.
The teachers said you have to watch your snacks.
"What I saw is they were getting into these cup of noodles,” Ricky Belmont, who works in the high school building, said.
And the teacher's union president said you have to watch out -- period.
"They've been in the locker room areas at times and I've seen them in the science building,” said Randy Davis.
Davis said ever since construction on neighborhoods around the school began a few years ago, rats have migrated to the high school dumpsters, the stadium, and yes, classrooms. This summer they were destructive.
"Yeah, we had some pole vault pits that have been chewed into by rats,” Davis said.
Davis said part of the problem is the high school is 40 years old, and it's infrastructure is worn away enough to welcome unwelcome rodents.
"This building needs a complete remodel and rebuild,” Davis said.
He said until a bond goes on the ballot there's only so much the district can do and a lot the rats can do.
“I think it pushed some people over the edge maybe. ‘OK, this is enough, I've had enough of these rodent sightings every time I come to work,’” Davis said.
Here's what the district says they'll do: according to the email they have asked for additional services from pest control as well as added extra people to their custodial staff in an attempt to eradicate the problem once and for all.
KIRO
