Students say something stinks inside Deer Park High School -- and it's making them sick.

Student Juliana Colon says people are vomiting in the hallways because of the stench.

The school principal confirmed to News 12 that they're dealing with a rat problem in the building, saying, "We have recently encountered rodents in various areas of Deer Park High School. In our attempt to eradicate these pests in the most efficient manner, we have contracted with an extermination company to remedy the situation."

Tenth-grader Alexis Altobello says the fumes from the extermination materials combined with the odor of dead rats are making matters worse. She left school early Wednesday and says she didn't feel safe.

Elizabeth Altobello say many other parents kept their children home from school, fearing the stench in the building poses a health hazard.

The school principal says certain doors are being kept open to air out the odor. But students and parents say the district should close the building until the extermination process is completed. Alexis Altobello says she won't go back to school until that happens. And students have started an online petition calling on the district to close the school until then. It's garnered over 1,500 signatures.