Vandals mar new school’s playground

Hobart school officials say surveillance cameras could assist police in identifying vandals who damaged playground equipment at Veterans Elementary at Mundell, the district’s newest school that just opened last August.

Superintendent Peggy Buffington reached out to parents and residents who live near the school at 52 N. Wisconsin St., asking them to keep an eye on the bright gold and purple playground equipment and report any vandalism to police.

She said in one case, someone tried to saw off part of a swing set. Graffiti was scrawled on other playground equipment.

The playground and school’s exterior is surrounded by black iron fencing. Neighbors initially complained to the district that their children couldn’t use the playground after school hours because the gates were locked.

Buffington said the school opened the gates for the community to use the playground from 4 p.m. to dusk during the week and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Then, the vandalism began.

Buffington said school maintenance workers have been able to repair most of the damage.

She said the district will seek monetary restitution from the culprits, if they’re identified.

“We are asking the public to help us,” Buffington said during Thursday’s school board meeting.

Board president Terry Butler said hopefully with the addition of more security cameras, the vandalism can be halted.