Former Cardinal Spellman, Stepinac Priest Accused of Sex Abuse at Resurrection Church in Rye

By Mark Lungariello
Rockland/Westchester Journal News
August 30, 2019

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2019/08/30/cardinal-spellman-stepinac-priest-william-white-accused-sex-abuse/2161953001/

A flea infestation at Haverstraw Elementary School means students will split their first week of classes at different North Rockland school district campuses. The fleas apparently came from a family of raccoons that were trapped in the building.

To complicate matters further, work on a ceiling to track the raccoons and fleas caused the need for asbestos abatement, district officials said today outside the school on Grant Street.

Workers first detected fleas on Aug. 5 and called exterminators, who found the mother raccoon Sunday in the school's basement, district officials said. Two baby raccoons were found Wednesday.

They believe the raccoons got in through the basement. Screens have been installed there and other places where the animals might have access.

The school in the village of Haverstraw houses 622 students in grades 4-6.

Classes start Tuesday. But the grade 4-6 students will attend the first day at North Rockland High School for opening day activities.

Students who usually walk to school were told to come to Haverstraw Elementary, and they will then be bused to the high school, which is located in Thiells. Walkers will then be bused back to Haverstraw Elementary so they can then walk home.

On Wednesday through Friday, fourth-graders will meet at Haverstraw Elementary and then walk to St. Peter's School on Ridge Street, which is immediately adjacent to the elementary school.

School officials talk about the raccoon and fleas problem and asbestos abatement at Haverstraw Elementary School, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. Students will spend the first days of school at other buildings. (Photo: Nancy Cutler/The Journal News)

Meanwhile, fifth- and sixth-graders will arrive at Haverstraw Elementary and then board buses to Farley Elementary in Stony Point. They'll will be bused back to Haverstraw Elementary for dismissal.

An open house scheduled for tonight was also canceled.

Students will not need supplies, and breakfast and lunch are now provided to all students free, according to district officials. Students are being told they do not need to bring book bags.

Problems started Sunday, when the district's pest control company found a raccoon inside the building. The animal was removed, officials said. Janitors then found fleas in areas of the building. Late Wednesday, two baby raccoons were found inside the building.

Teachers and staff have not been able to enter the building because of the treatments used for the fleas. The building still needs to be cleaned and prepared for the school year, officials said.

Haverstraw Elementary School, where a flea infestation caused by raccoons has caused the school to be closed for the first week of classes. Photographed Aug. 30, 2019 (Photo: Nancy Cutler/The Journal News)