Vandals spray-painted sections of the new high school on September 23, causing thousands of dollars in damages. Police continue to investigate and are contemplating charges.
Erin Christie photo
Last week’s vandalism at Oliver’s new high school prompted trustees to speak out after questions were raised about security.
Superintendent of Schools Bev Young began the discussion by listing the damage done on Monday, September 23, only 20 days after the new school was completed.
Besides spray-painting the building, the suspects splashed stucco on a wall and emptied the contents of a fire extinguisher into a heating and air conditioning vent.
Young estimated the damage between $5,000-$10,000.
She noted that video footage from security cameras has been turned over to the RCMP to assist their investigation.
According to Young, one of the males apprehended is a student enrolled in the school, while the other is a former student.
Police say charges are being considered.
Director of Facilities Mitch Van Aller said a security guard began his shift at 10 pm, but the suspects carried out the damage at 9:30 pm.
When asked how the suspects managed to climb onto the roof of the new school, Van Aller said it’s amazing how creative and adaptive some kids are.
“They’re like Spiderman.”
School trustee Myrna Coates said what the vandals did at SOSS could have happened at any school at any time.
Van Aller said vandalism in the district is very low, noting “it doesn’t happen a lot.”
Trustee Sam Hancheroff said 99.9 per cent of students are great kids. He pointed out that parents have some responsibility in teaching their kids right from wrong.
Hancheroff wondered aloud what would happen if judges started making the parents pay for vandalism perpetrated by their children.
Board chair Marieze Tarr said the only way to change behaviour is through education and teaching children to respect property. But if they decide to carry out vandalism, they will do it regardless of 24-hour security, she noted.
Jim Insley, assistant superintendent of schools, said some children harbour anger inside, and their needs are not being met.
“We have to continue to meet them (those needs),” he pointed out.
Van Aller noted that education about vandalism has already begun within the student body. He said some pupils have spoken out, saying what happened on September 23 was unacceptable.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
