Bed bugs discovered at AHS, steps taken to treat the issue

Published 9:57 am Tuesday, December 5, 2023

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The detection of bed bugs at Austin High School at the start of the week has brought a swift reaction by the district.

A note was sent out to parents Monday by Principal Matt Schmit regarding the detection of bed bugs and followed up Tuesday morning by Superintendent Dr. Joey Page who said that the incident was confined to an isolated area.

“Our Buildings and Grounds Department promptly and thoroughly treated this issue, following the best practices and guidelines to ensure our students and staff’s safety and well-being,” Page’s Tuesday message read.

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According to Monday’s announcement by Schmit, the AHS nurse began work identifying families affect to provide resources and education. The school also announced that it would follow the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines regarding infestations.

The district will continue to monitor the situation and regular inspections will be conducted in the treated area as well as the rest of the school to prevent any recurrence.

“Our efforts include ongoing preventative measures such as regular inspections and maintaining high cleanliness standards,” Schmit said in Monday’s letter to parents. “The Buildings and Grounds team plays a vital role in early detection and constant surveillance to prevent future occurrences.”

Page also confirmed Tuesday morning that there was no disruption to the day on Monday at the school or going forward.