Paterson’s Eastside High School is undergoing a major clearing operation after rodent droppings were round in four of the school’s kitchens.

Students tell News 12 New Jersey that they often have to go out to eat off campus because of the uncleanliness. Some of the students say that they have seen rats in class.

“You really can’t eat here or nothing,” says 11th-grader David Maull. “You have to go out for lunch and buy your own food.”

Health officials say that their biggest concern is the potential diseases rodents can carry.

"Specifically we're talking about leptospirosis,” says health officer Dr. Paul Persaud. "It's transmitted by rodents and some other animals but it can lead to kidney failure. It can lead to death eventually."

The district has been given 10 business days to clean the school before the next inspection.

"The exterminator has to come in often, at least twice a month, and they have to seal off all openings and they also have to get rid of the garbage in and around the school property,” says acting-chief inspector Jean Mugulusi.

The district says it’s already doing all of that. Officials say that the last time a rodent was caught was December and that they believe the droppings are older.

"We're also doing extra cleaning for flu-related (illnesses). We're doing very high-contact surface cleaning, as an additional preventative measure that we take,” says Paterson Schools Facilities executive director Steven Morlino.

District officials say that they have brought in extra help to clean and monitor all of the schools in Paterson.