Of Mice And Schools

The following was sent over to us (KRDE 94.1) to announce in all our means in regards to complaints Pima Butte Elementary received pertaining to mice and their feces found in the building. The following letter was sent from the Maricopa Unified School District:

Maricopa Unified School District #20

Re: Pima Butte Concerns

During the week of November 6, 2006, there were concerns voiced by some parents and some teachers at Pima Butte Elementary about the presence of mice and their feces in the building. The School District doubled their cleaning schedule to reinforce their efforts.

A plan was developed to monitor and sustain all cleaning efforts. Also, additional strategies were implemented to reduce and eliminate any presence of mice. University Pest Services was advised to increase efforts to assure minimal rodent activity.

On November 14, 2006 a meeting was held with the Pinal County Health Department and the detailed report follows:

Pinal County Health Officials are investigating multiple complaints of mice in Pima Butte Elementary School of the Maricopa Unified School District. In their preliminary investigation, Pinal County officials have discovered no evidence of an imminent or impending health threat. To this date, health officials have not received reports of any disease in students or staff that could be attributed to the presence of mice.

Pinal County Health Officials met with Dr. John Flores, Superintendent of the Maricopa Unified School District and his staff to discuss an action plan to control the population of mice in school facilities. Pima Butte Elementary has begun to take the following actions to control, monitor and document any problem and any future problems:

* Place more traps in all areas of the school.
* Develop a log of locations that mice and droppings are found in traps.
* Properly sanitize, empty and employ more trapping measures.
* Eliminate food sources by limiting food to the cafeteria only.
* Eliminate materials that can be used for nesting.
* Require staff immediately report any mouse droppings to administration.
* Participation in ongoing inspection from the Pinal County Division of Environmental Health.

These measures were developed by the Maricopa Unified School District with the assistance of Pinal Co. Health Officials. Pinal Co. Health Officials will continue to monitor the conditions at the school to ensure that no health threat exists. If at any point a significant health threat exists, Public Health Official will take whatever action is necessary to protect the health & safety of students & staff.