Vandalism problems persist at Oklahoma City district schools
The Oklahoma City school district is scrambling to increase security after three more schools were vandalized over the weekend, officials said Monday.
The district is seeking to hire more security officers, upgrade school security systems and enlist the public’s help with a “See Something, Say Something” initiative.
Officials are reporting more than 100 cases of vandalism since January. The district has spent more than $60,000 on cleanup and repairs, including $20,000 following a break-in at Douglass Mid-High on June 9.
“The money it takes to accommodate this extensive amount of damage and cleanup wasn’t budgeted for,” said Tim Coleman, the district’s security director. “This means the district has had to be creative to find a way to pay for the repairs and cleanup caused by these incidents.”
Adams Elementary, Webster Middle School and Classen School of Advanced Studies were targeted by vandals over the weekend.
At Webster, 6708 S Santa Fe Ave., a portable classroom was vandalized. While the door to the portable building was locked, the last person to leave didn’t set the alarm, said Courtney Morton, a district spokeswoman.
“We’re doing everything we can to make our schools safe and secure, Morton said. “It’s not just about updating alarm systems, it’s training people on the proper safety and security procedures in the facility they work in. It’s about setting alarms and not propping doors open.”
The district is interviewing security officers in hopes of increasing the number who work from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Currently, only three officers monitor between 75 and 80 schools.
Upgrades to school security systems — some of them faulty — could take several years to complete, with the money coming from a bond issue passed in November. That money will be available beginning this month, Morton said.
Other schools vandalized in recent days include Buchanan, Wheeler and Hillcrest elementary schools. At Wheeler, vandals set off the fire alarm, emptied a fire extinguisher and broke the school marquee.
“This year, I think we’ve experienced a lot more what I call ‘egregious vandalism,’” Coleman said. “It’s people being destructive. They’re not coming in to steal computers and iPads.”
The latest incidents follow break-ins last month at North Highland Elementary, which faced possible closure, and Douglass, whose principal resigned amid a district investigation.
At North Highland, 8400 N Robinson Ave., windows were broken and paint and supplies were thrown throughout the hallways June 23 — two days after Superintendent Aurora Lora said she was going to ask the school board to consider closing the school.
Lora changed her mind and has decided to keep North Highland open for the 2017-18 school year, which begins Aug. 1.
A floor safe was also damaged and some items were stolen. The district is still assessing the damage and cleanup costs, Morton said.
Police released surveillance video of the robbery and vandalism the next day. No arrests have been made in the case, officer Megan Morgan said Monday.
School board member Rebecca Budd publicly addressed the issue of district security following the break-in at North Highland.
“Building security and safety is one area we need to critically address,” Budd said at the June 26 board meeting. “It isn’t just North Highland. There was one at Douglass. There have been teachers that have gotten their stuff stolen. There are many issues that aren’t keeping our buildings secure.
“It comes back to, ‘What are our priorities at the district?’ Maybe we need to review that.”
At Douglass, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., vandals broke windows, trashed classrooms and set off the sprinkler system about 2 a.m. June 9, officials said.
Firefighters responded when the fire alarms in the school went off. The sprinkler system caused water damage and classrooms had been ransacked. Additional damage to the front office and kitchen area also were reported.
Police have not made an arrest in the case, Morgan said.
Douglass was vandalized four days after Principal Andrew Pearson resigned amid a district investigation. Pearson had been suspended with pay after allegations surfaced that he violated “board policy and/or regulations.”
To report suspicious behavior at school facilities, call the district’s 587-SAFE (7233) hotline.