By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School 131 on Hester St. sits smack in the middle of a bustling section of Chinatown, next door to mom-and-pop grocery stores, an adjacent elevated garden and rows of restaurants.

The neighborhood is popular not only with people looking for Chinese food but unfortunately—until Local 372 stepped in—it was a favorite stomping ground for rats.

The large amounts of garbage generated by neighborhood restaurants created a major health and safety hazard for children and school employees. "A river of rats ran in front of the school," said Grievance Rep Suzanne Lester of the Schools Division of District Council 37.

Although the Giuliani administration promised to remedy the problem, nothing was done. Santos Crespo, executive vice-president of Board of Education Employees Local 372, got involved and in February, the union conducted a complete investigation.

Principal Program Coordinator Guille Mejia of DC 37's Safety Dept. found multiple violations of the city health code and the citywide contract. Her report recommended that the Board of Education repair the garden area to fill the holes that were harboring the rats.

Despite the report, in the face of the obvious danger to children, teachers and Local 372 members, and even when Local 372 filed a third grievance, the Board of Education continued to dragits feet.

"We told the school board that if they didn't address this problem immediately, we would go to the newspapers," said Ms. Lester. Suddenly, the school board made funds available and workers filled the holes in the garden with several inches of concrete.

"I have to give credit to our staff, Suzanne Lester and Guille Mejia," said Mr. Crespo. "They stayed on top of this grievance and made sure our members and the kids were out of harm's way."