A dramatic scene unfolded outside Mollison Elementary Thursday as local school council members arrived to inspect the school amid an ongoing rodent problem.
The group arrived at the Chicago Public School early Thursday morning, but when they weren't allowed inside, yelling and a scuffle ensued.
The group was attempting to join the city's health department and school officials for a scheduled inspection after news of a rodent problem broke out.
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The Chicago Teachers Union had earlier released a video showing newborn mice found under a pillow used in a clasroom library.
CPS said it was aware of the problem and deep cleaned the school over Thanksgiving break. The school failed its initial health inspection this week and a second cleaning was ordered. Another inspection was scheduled for Thursday.
Security officials said only the group's chairman, Yolanda Redman, would be allowed inside the school during the inspection "so that a community representative could be present in a non-disruptive way."
"Bringing a large group of adults into the building who do not have an educational role would be highly disruptive to the students and educators starting their school day this morning," CPS said in a statement.
Redman had toured the school Monday, but said it was still filled with rodent droppings.
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"It’s making it worse," Redman said at the school Thursday. "This should have been a simpler. Let us in, let us walk through - kids come in and we go on about our business. It should not have went this far.”
Cathy Dale was among those trying to enter the building Thursday, but as she attempted to duck under security personnel barring the door, she ended up on the ground and was taken from the scene in an ambulance.
Numerous parents began pulling their children out of class until they say they're convinced the school is cleaned.
