Classes cancelled for two days at Chelsea High due to fly infestation
Classes are cancelled for two days at Chelsea High School due to a fly infestation, according to the superintendent of Chelsea Public Schools.
Superintendent Mary M. Bourque posted a letter to the school website explaining when the problem began and how the school has been battling it. The high school will be closed on Thursday and Friday due to the problem.
After receiving complaints about flies in the kitchen area on Dec. 5, the school called in a contractor to clean all the drains and grease traps, according to Bourque.
“The problem persisted,” Bourque told parents in the letter.
Next, officials called an exterminator to investigate possible entry points for the flies. A drain cleaning service was also called in to inspect the drain pipes with video cameras, looking for cracks or broken pipes where flies could pass through.
“These measures were inconclusive,” Bourque told parents.
On Tuesday, officials had a plumber open up the walls.
“Unfortunately, this invasive but necessary work to get to the source of the infiltration of flies, created more access points for flies to enter the building,” wrote Bourque.
Bourque then decided to close the school for the remainder of the week. During the next two days, crews will continue inspecting the areas behind the walls to search for where the flies are coming in, she wrote.
Bourque said she will keep parents updated on the progress.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com