Bat Infestation Forces Closure of Tobique Valley High School for Remainder of Year
Students at Tobique Valley High School (TVHS) in Plaster Rock, N.B., will finish the school year at different schools due to a persistent bat infestation that has made the building unfit for learning. The decision to temporarily close TVHS was announced on Friday by Anglophone West School District Superintendent David McTimoney, affecting all 134 students from Grades 6 to 12 and 22 staff members.
For the remainder of the year, students in Grades 6 to 8 will attend Donald Fraser Memorial School in Plaster Rock, while high school students will finish their semester at Southern Victoria High School in Perth-Andover. The 22 staff members will be reassigned to these schools.
“This is a critical step to address the serious issue at TVHS,” McTimoney wrote to parents in an email. Since March, students and staff have been enduring the presence of bats in the school, which has raised concerns about safety and comfort. Despite the infestation, the district had continued classes, but the situation became untenable as the school year neared its end.
The final day of regular classes will be Monday, April 28, with an option for students to return to pick up personal belongings. Although remediation efforts had been scheduled to begin earlier, the district postponed them to ensure that the building remained empty of students and staff while inspections and cleanup were carried out.
The school district confirmed that 13 brown bats had been removed in March, but the full extent of the infestation remains unclear. The bat issue has been described as a recurring problem at TVHS, with previous efforts to address the infestation being unsuccessful.
The closure highlights the ongoing environmental challenges posed by wildlife in older buildings. As the district works on a plan for remediation, the relocation of students ensures that they continue their education in a safe environment while the infestation is addressed.
TVHS students will return to their new schools on Monday, May 5, with transportation and other logistical details to be provided to parents.
Source: Swifteradio.com
