Alexander Henderson Elementary will be closed Tuesday to clean up damage from vandals who broke in over the holiday weekend, according to the Department of Education. Officials said Monday that security cameras caught at least one adult in the school and are asking residents for any information they might have about the incident.
St. Croix Insular Superintendent Gary Molloy and his staff received reports of the break-in Monday morning and subsequently did a walk-through of the campus, which had been visibly vandalized. No one was injured during the incident and nothing appears to have been stolen, but Molloy said Monday afternoon that for safety purposes, the school must remain closed to give officials time to clean and fix air conditioning units, fire extinguishers and other items that may have touched, polluted or broken by the vandals.
Among other things, several fire extinguishers were set off on the campus, ceiling tiles were pried loose and various classrooms showed signs of tampering.
“We are extremely disappointed that vandalism reared its ugly head here at Henderson, especially considering the myriad issues we had to deal with on the campus at the beginning of the year," Molloy said.
Molloy asked that parents encourage their children to continue reading, writing and taking advantage of online intervention programs offered throughout the District during the time off.
“Our top priority at this time is the health and safety of the students, faculty and staff,” Education Commissioner LaVerne Terry said in the statement.
She said the department will work closely with the police to help apprehend the individuals that committed this act.
Education will release an update Tuesday on the status of the cleanup and let parents know if the school will be open Wednesday.
