Vandals strike Fairview, but prom still set for tonight

4/27/2002

SHERWOOD, Ohio - The Fairview High School prom will go on as planned tonight even though classes and athletic events were canceled yesterday after the school office was vandalized.

Central Local school officials believe someone gained entry to the building after midnight yesterday. The school's transportation director noticed the damage, largely broken glass and open drawers, when he arrived about 5 a.m.

“They rifled through every drawer in the high school office,” said Defiance County Sheriff David Westrick. “It was apparent they were looking for money.”

Sheriff Westrick said an undetermined amount of money was taken from the school office. He said his deputies will continue to investigate and no arrests have been made.

According to high school Principal Dan Feasel, the suspects broke windows inside two classrooms as well as a restroom. Inside the school office, drawers and locked file cabinets were pried open.

Mr. Feasel said authorities were called and began searching for evidence. The principal said the district originally delayed the start of classes but decided to cancel high school classes because investigators were still on the scene at midmorning.

Though they share a building, middle school students were asked to report to class but couldn't access the high school hallways, which were blocked by a gate.

Mr. Feasel said he didn't have an estimate for the damage, and he said work crews remained at the school yesterday to make repairs. He said the gymnasium, which had been decorated with faux walls and a ceiling for the prom, was not touched by the suspects.

Fairview High wasn't the only school hit by vandals. About 11:40 p.m. Thursday, Defiance police were called to Slocum Elementary, where someone also had gained entry by breaking a window.

Police are investigating.