After parents expressed their concern that they were being kept in the dark about cockroaches at the Panther Valley Intermediate School, the district's superintendent issued a statement outlining what his staff has observed, and what they are doing to fix the problem.

Superintendent Dennis Kergick sent home a letter to parents after rumors of cockroaches in the school spread on social media Wednesday.

Kergick said acknowledged there were sightings at Panther Valley High School and Intermediate School, but said they have been sporadic, and should not be classified as an infestation.

There have been no reported sightings at Panther Valley Elementary School.

He said that the district has been spraying at the buildings weekly to attempt to eradicate the bugs.

"I want to assure you that our intent is to safe guard the children so we do take regular and repeated measures to insure their well-being which includes weekly spraying and maintenance so that this does not become a larger issue," Kergick said in the statement.

He apologized for not informing parents of the sightings sooner. He said that he did not want to ensure that the reports were accurate before taking them to the public.

He believes that the insects may have emerged after the district's construction project to add a wing onto the senior high school.

"As always, if you have any concerns, please feel free to contact building administration or the district office. We are always concerned with the health, safety and well being of our students and staff," he said.