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'Live roach activity' prompts failing health grade at DeKalb middle school

Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School in Decatur got a score of 60 from the DeKalb County Board of Health.
Credit: JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images
Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School in Decatur received a failing health grade after cockroaches were found in the school cafeteria.

“Live cockroach activity,” dead roaches and employee handwashing violations prompted DeKalb health officials to give Bethune Middle School a failing grade in food safety, according to a new report.

The Dec. 4 inspection conducted by the DeKalb County Board of Health's Environmental Division uncovered a dozen health code violations at the school, including live cockroaches in the kitchen and kitchen staff restroom and dead “German” cockroaches found behind the serve line in the school cafeteria. Dead “American” cockroaches were also found in the dry storage area, according to the report.

In one instance, a health inspector observed an employee pick up trash, throw it away and then pick up a pan of cooked hot dogs. There was also a notable lack of proper handwashing stations in the boy’s and girl’s bathrooms near the cafeteria. Sanitizing buckets on the serving line didn’t contain the proper amount of ammonium solution to thoroughly clean cafeteria items, and several food items were cited for not being cooled at proper temperatures.

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“The DeKalb County School District is well aware of the unfortunate Pest Control & Health Inspection score given to Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School,” said the DeKalb County School District in a statement. “Corrective action was put in motion immediately. The district’s Food & Nutritional Service department has remained in constant contact with the DeKalb County Board of Health to assure the necessary steps are taken and an exemplary cafeteria environment is restored.”

Other violations included in the health inspection report including torn gaskets on several cold and hot holding units, and peeling surfaces on shelving that houses milk coolers. The school was ordered to repair the gaskets or replace them, and recoat or replace the milk shelving.

“This is unacceptable. Please understand corrective measures have been put into place,” said principal Eric Kemp in a letter sent out to Bethune Middle School families. “We have identified the areas of concern and have taken proactive measures to address them. We will continue to monitor their progress.”

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Inspectors from the Georgia Department of Public Health stated that it will re-do the inspection no later than Dec. 14.

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