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CMS officials say health inspection issues at 2 schools have been addressed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials provided an update Wednesday on their efforts to address issues found during recent health inspections that resulted in two area high schools receiving poor health grades.

In September, Channel 9 learned that roaches and mice droppings were found at West Mecklenburg High School during an inspection.

Many people saw Channel 9’s report after the high school received a C grade -- the lowest it can get. The inspector noted microbial growth, roaches present in a culinary class and mice droppings in a building and the gym.

[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Health inspection reveals low grade at West Meck]

At Cochrane Collegiate Academy, an inspector found water leaks, water damage and wasp nests, among several other violations.

It took weeks for CMS officials to respond to Channel 9’s requests for an update on whether school officials had directed their attention to the two schools with poor health grades.

On Wednesday, Channel 9 received a statement from CMS officials:

"Building Services has indicated that all items listed on the health inspections for West Mecklenburg High and Cochrane Collegiate Academy have been addressed. The work orders were completed by the end of September."

When Channel 9 brought that statement to parents, many were skeptical.

"A lot of things they say I don't agree with or actually believe," parent Lindsay Ebron said. Ebron has two children who attend West Mecklenburg High School.

Parents told Channel 9 that the district needs to start being more proactive.

"The school district needs to actually walk through the schools themselves, so they can see before they make a judgment," parent Angela Brand said.

Parents won't know if the schools are up to standards until inspectors return.

Resident Khayla Morris expects to see a grade better than a C.

"An A would be nice, but I mean, a B would be an improvement," Morris said

Health inspections are random, and their timing isn't typically disclosed to the public.

Channel 9 will be checking on reports to find out what inspectors find after they return to both West Mecklenburg High School and Cochrane Collegiate Academy.

Eyewitness News anchor Blaine Tolison will have a full report on CMS officials' efforts to address the inspection issues on Channel 9 starting at 6 p.m.

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