BUNA, Texas — In a "batty" turn of events, Buna Independent School District has been forced to take immediate action after discovering approximately 30 bats in the school's Activity Center, leading to them postponing the junior high band concert and temporarily closing the facility.
Interim Superintendent Bill Boyd announced the discovery on Facebook, and emphasized the district's concern for student and employee safety.
The massive bat infestation has prompted the district to get experts to remove the colony. This will impact school activities through the holiday season.
The removal plan includes complete removal of bats from the Activity Center, sealing of the exterior of the high school and Activity Center and inspection and treatment of the elementary school facilities.
Boyd highlighted the challenges of bat removal, noting that the animals can squeeze through openings as small as a pencil eraser tip, making the task particularly complex.
The immediate consequences of the bat invasion include the postponement of the junior high band concert, closure of the Activity Center for the remainder of the semester and holidays and potential rescheduling of UIL basketball games originally planned for the Activity Center.
Boyd expressed disappointment that students would not immediately showcase their musical talents but assured parents that the band concert would be rescheduled. They will let parents and students know the date and time for the rescheduled performance in the morning.
Parents and community members with questions are encouraged to contact Boyd directly. The district will continue to monitor all academic wings and campuses for potential bat activity in the coming weeks.
The UIL basketball district has been contacted to potentially swap home and away game sites for Friday night's scheduled games at the Activity Center.
As the bat removal process continues, the community is asked to remain patient and understanding during this unexpected challenge.