Problem allegedly known to administrators since beginning of school year

MANCHESTER, NH  September 24, 2025–Hillside Middle School is “infested” with cockroaches, Girard at Large learned late last week.  According to sources, the building has been infested since before kids went back to school.  Despite this, no notice went home to parents about the issue until today, after social media posts in the Hillside Middle School PTO group site started to appear.

According to sources familiar with the situation, children are “able to wear backpacks now because the lockers seem to be infested.  It’s disgusting.”  Parents online were asking “why we haven’t been informed or what their plan of action is going to be” after being told of the infestation by their students.

In response to our inqury, Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel forwarded the following email to parents.  In doing so, she wrote “See below for a copy of the family letter we shared this afternoon.”  She did not respond to our inquiry as to what time it was sent, thus we do not know if it was before or after social media posts made by parents.

Dear Families,

I want to share an important update regarding our efforts to address reports of cockroaches at Hillside. Please know that we are taking this very seriously and are moving forward with a comprehensive, coordinated approach.

We are working in close collaboration with the Manchester Health Department (MHD) and our Facilities team to ensure that we eliminate cockroaches efficiently and prevent them from returning. Our strategy includes:

  • Aggressive treatments by licensed professionals to address the issue directly.

  • Targeting high-risk areas such as kitchens, food storage spaces, and other sensitive locations.

  • A multi-faceted approach that focuses not only on treatment, but also on prevention by reducing conditions that attract pests.

In our work with MHD, we have been advised that as long as we follow this plan, there is no ongoing threat to the health and safety of our students.

Cockroaches often enter buildings seeking food, water, and shelter, especially during dry conditions. This makes it especially important that we work together to keep classrooms, common spaces, and cafeterias free of crumbs, food residue, and excess moisture.

We are committed to being strategic, thorough, and proactive in this work. Our goal is to provide a safe, clean, and healthy environment for all students and staff.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we continue to address this matter with urgency and care.

Sincerely,
Kelly Espinola
Assistant Superintendent of High Schools & Operations

While the district references “dry conditions” as a likely cause, others have told Girard at Large that the massive construction project underway to expand the school is likely the source of the infestation.  Said one contractor:  “Large scale disruption of the ground like that often leads to the infestation of neighboring structures by all sorts of creatures, including cockroaches.”

Normally, backpacks are left in lockers, according to people familiar with Hillside’s internal practices.  Allowing students to take them to class “is simply moving the problem to classes and spreading [the] cockroaches.”  While the district is urging practices that will help contain the roaches, sources inside the building say the school is making it worse.  “Kids eat all day in the halls and classes and it’s gross.  Breakfast is in classes vs. having [it in] the cafe…where the food stays.”

What the letter to parents doesn’t say is that any and all bookbags, lunch containers or any other materials brought home from school should be checked before being brought into the home to safeguard against roaches entering the home.

Critics of the letter accuse the district of sending the letter as a “CYA,” suggesting it was only sent after social media posts about the problem popped up today.

At the time of publication, Chmiel had yet to respond to the folloiwng questions:

  • I’m told this has been a problem since before the beginning of school.  If that’s true, why is the district only now advising parents?  If its not, when did it become a problem?
  • Also, why weren’t parents advised to inspect their children’s bookbags, lunch boxes or other items stored in their lockers to prevent their homes from being infested?

This article will be updated with any responses.