ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A health inspector will be on campus at Howard Middle School in Orange County Thursday to follow up on a rat problem.
Emails that were sent by assistant principal James Morse, dating back to early February, described the rat problem. Morse told leaders of Orange County Public Schools "We seem to be getting overrun with rats in many areas across campus."
In another email, Morse wrote about an infestation of rats running on the ceiling of the cafeteria.
"We have a health and safety issue with large amounts of rat urine and feces," wrote Morse.
Many parents said they did not know about the issue.
School district officials dismissed the emails Morse sent, saying they do not qualify as confirmation of a pest infestation.
"I think they should be honest. They should take action," said parent Gwen Rodgers.
WFTV found rat traps outside the school cafeteria.
A school representative claimed the health department gave Howard Middle School a "satisfactory" finding during an unscheduled inspection.
However, when WFTV checked the information, the health inspections had given the school an "unsatisfactory" grade, prompting a follow-up inspection Thursday.
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Health department does rat inspection at Howard Middle School
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