Vandalism closes Mississaugas of the Credit school

Lloyd S. King Elementary School was closed Monday after the Mississaugas of the Credit school was heavily vandalized overnight.

Police say a security alarm at 12:50 a.m. brought officers to the school on New Credit Road, south of Second Line, to find what principal James Medway described in a statement as “a significant amount of exterior vandalism.”

“In particular, a lot of doors, windows and construction excavating equipment has been smashed,”

Medway wrote.

In an email, Haldimand OPP said officers also found “extensive graffiti painted all over the outside of the school.”

Medway said the school was closed Monday to allow for a cleanup and for staff to assess and repair the damage to the building.

“We are outraged and saddened at the level of vandalism that has occurred at Lloyd S. King Elementary School,” Mississaugas of the Credit Chief Stacey Laforme said in a statement. “We will be co-operating fully with the OPP.”

Community members took to social media to vent their frustration at the destruction.

“This is horrendous,” Ashley King said on Facebook, adding that her son, a student at the school, “has feelings of anger, confusion and sadness about this.”

The investigation continues. Tips can be called into the OPP at 1-888310-1122 or submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Medway thanked students, parents and school staff “for your patience as we carefully address this unfortunate situation.”

Lloyd S. King school — known locally as LSK — offers instruction for students in kindergarten through Grade 8. The school curriculum incorporates Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language.

Last summer, in response to the school’s growing student population, Indigenous Services Canada approved an application for an expansion at LSK to add new classrooms and a child-care wing, as well as outdoor play areas and a bigger parking lot.

‘‘ We are outraged and saddened at the level of vandalism that has occurred ...

CHIEF STACEY LAFORME