School Break-ins On The Rise
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Updated: 8:45 PM May 18, 2009
School Break-ins On The Rise
School break-ins are taking their toll on local districts at a time when budgets are already tight
School break-ins are taking their toll on local districts at a time when budgets are already tight
Posted: 6:25 PM May 18, 2009
Reporter: Tiffany Teasley
Email Address: Tiffany.Teasley@wilx.com
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School campuses are becoming a target for troublemakers.

"We've had some active vandalism in our schools, mainly smashed out windows," said Scott Szpara, Holt Deputy Superintendent.

"Several different pieces of computer equipment had been taken," said Dan Heckman, Bath Community Schools Interim Superintendent.

The latest on the list was Bath Elementary School, where computer monitors and a TV were found missing Monday morning, after officers believe burglars entered through an open window.

"Several drawers and desks had been gone through, desktop computer monitors and so on are missing," Heckman said.

Students and staff were evacuated to the middle school for a short time, the incident comes on the anniversary of the deadly Bath School Disaster 82 years ago, and officers weren't taking any chances; they swept the building with search dogs.

"Being that it is the anniversary of the bath school bombing, we did have them come through just to make sure absolutely that it wasn't a cover up for something different," said Sgt. Lyle Lindemulder of the Bath Township Police Department.

Last week the Holt Junior High Football Field was the target after thieves broke into the concession stand, stole pop and candy, threw a microwave and even tried to set a fire.

"Individuals had taken the cupboard doors off, and put some paper products and started them on fire, I think with the hope of taking all of the wood and burning it inside out," Szpara said.

While school officials say they'll quickly recover from both incidents, it's still an added burden for schools facing tight budgets.

"It takes a lot of effort to get these buildings ready for students, when there's glass, smashed in windows, and it is an extra burden almost every week," Szpara said.


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