CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Some parents are upset that they weren’t informed about a bat problem inside a Chester County elementary school.
The school district said it’s doing everything possible to remove bats at Great Falls Elementary School and keep more from getting in.
Chester County school officials believe the bats moved in last year from an abandoned textile mill a few hundred yards away.
Shaneka Simpson said her son spotted a bat just last week inside the school.
“He said he saw them in the gym. It’s a more serious issue than they’re making of it,” Simpson said.
Mary Hunter, who has a daughter at Great Falls Elementary, said she found out about the bats on Facebook.
“I feel like the school should have sent something out when they found out, instead of waiting until this year, because this went on all of last year,” Hunter said.
A letter dated Aug. 23 went out to all parents. It stated that a company was hired last April to remove bat droppings found in the school and seal up areas where bats could enter.
[READ: Letter to parents on bat issue]
The letter revealed that three bats were found in the school on Aug. 11, which was less than a week before school started. It also said that classes along the hallway were moved, sonar boxes were placed in rafters, a wildlife removal was contacted and air quality was checked in the building.
The school district said those steps should put an end to the bat problem, but because they are a protected species, removal can take time.
“It’s dangerous because I don’t want him to get bit or nobody’s child, and possibly get rabies,” Simpson said.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control recommended that the district ask parents to talk to their children and ask if they’ve had any direct contact with a bat. Bat bites can be tiny and to unnoticed. DHEC and the school district urge families to call their doctor if there has been any direct contact.
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