Donna Magoon, the superintendent for the Newport School District, stated: "The bats have been finding their way into the occupied area of the building through small holes in ceiling tiles and other gaps around pipes." The school's facilities team was tasked with sealing these vulnerabilities to prevent further entries by wildlife. This proactive measure was necessary after significant reports of discomfort among staff members prompted immediate inspections.
"Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are taking this situation very seriously," Magoon stated in her communications to families. With hundreds of bats found hibernating within school premises, the superintendent reinforced the importance of immediate action to ensure health and safety standards are maintained, reflecting how seriously the school district is treating this unconventional challenge.
Dawn Whitehouse, a former student, recounted her experience with bats in the school, noting: "Sometimes, a student would get to go up [to the attic] with a teacher to take a glance at it." This highlights the long-standing relationship between the school and the bat population, illustrating how unusual encounters with wildlife have been a part of the school's history.
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