BOSTON -- A Saugus elementary school was shut down Thursday morning because of rats.

Rats were first detected in Waybright Elementary in Saugus in December.

Exterminators were brought in, but just Wednesday a rat was found in a vent inside a kindergarten classroom, forcing the school to close Thursday and hold classes at the local high school.

It is the second time in two weeks that the school has been closed because of rats.

It was closed Jan. 22 after a rat was spotted in the school cafeteria after an exterminator came to the school in December.

School officials were told the problem was taken care of.

"Got that assurance and they returned on Monday. We thought we were getting the better of the situation," said Saugus schools Superintendent Richard Langlois.

Then a rogue rat was trapped in a vent. Parents met with school administrators Wednesday night, and they're furious.

"It really is scary to think about sending my son back there. The school's closed for tomorrow. But what are they going to do the day after?" said parent Lorie Cassier.

"They say it's contained to the basement, but for them to see them in the academic areas, the classrooms, it's not a contained problem," said parent Lou Moran.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting and it's been like this for weeks," said parent Wendy Mills.

The school will undergo another inspection. Parents want the school closed through the February vacation break so that exterminators can focus on getting the rats out of there for good.

Langlois said he can't offer any guarantees on the problem.

"There is no assurance. It's one of those things. You do the best you can," he said.

"My kids are, every morning, telling me they don't want to get bit by a rat. I think it's sad that I have to send them there," said Mills.