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Vandals Strike Hardee Junior High

GANG-RELATED GRAFFITI PAINTED THROUGHOUT SCHOOL

Marc Valero/Highlands Today

At left: Martha Kersey at Hardee Junior High School on Wednesday to take her son out of school for the remainder of the day. After learning about vandalism at the school, many parents decided to pick up their children. “Just for safety,” Kersey said.

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By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: January 23, 2008

Updated: 01/24/2008 09:37 am

Hardee School Vandalism Photo Gallery

WAUCHULA — Vandals armed with spray paint cans struck classroom walls, doors, floors, hallways and the center court of the gymnasium at Hardee Junior High School Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

A teacher, who did not want to be identified, said from the school's gymnasium that this was not a five-minute job. He said they came prepared with spray paint cans and knives, referring to tires that were slashed on golf carts. Another teacher cried when she saw the condition of her classroom, he added.

Superintendent Dennis Jones noted that a particular gang name was prevalent among the graffiti. Damage was limited to vandalism with very little physical damage.

With the majority of the cleanup expected to be completed Wednesday, the school should be open today, Jones added.

Hardee County Sheriff's Department deputies and investigators collected evidence and talked to students to try to determine who is responsible for the damage, which included discharged fire extinguishers and doors with broken windows.

The junior high, located at 2401 U.S. 17 N., Wauchula, and the adjoining Hilltop Elementary School, opened in August 2006.

A recently activated phone call-out system notified parents of the incident. A steady trickle of parents came to the main office, shared by both schools, to take their children out of the middle and elementary schools for the remainder of the day.

"I don't know what happened," said parent David Chapa as he waited to take his son out of school.
Martha Kersey was also taking her son out of school for the remainder of the day.
"Just for safety," she said.

Jones said while parents were notified that the school was safe for their children, it was OK to take them out of school for the day.

The sheriff's department conducted its investigation and then custodial workers attended to the cleanup, leaving students to be housed in the auditorium and gymnasium for most of the day.

Jones said the schools have a total of 140 security cameras that operate 24 hours a day. The sheriff's department is reviewing the video images.

The 60-acre campus is enclosed by a fence and has a security system, he said. It has not yet been determined how the intruders gained access to the campus and inside the buildings.

Jones said he felt anger and sadness that somebody's motivation was simply to destroy.
School Board Member Tanya Royal said "it's just sad that whoever it is felt the need to vandalize such a nice campus."

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