MANSFIELD - Blue Ridge School District officials will welcome students back to school Tuesday morning for the first time since a bat was found in the Mansfield Elementary building last Thursday.

The bat tested positive for rabies the next day. Friday was a teacher institute day, and students were not in attendance Monday due to Columbus Day.

The extra time has given district officials a chance to examine the building to make sure no more bats can gain entry. Wildlife removal experts started that process over the weekend.

A school employee came in contact with the bat last week, and is undergoing precautionary medical treatment to prevent infection from rabies, according to school district officials.

The DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department was also notified and consulted. The health department was also closed Monday.