Cleveland High School vandalism charges expected

Thursday, February 17, 2011

photo Staff Photos by Randall Higgins/Chattanooga Times Free Press Cleveland School Board members visit the Cleveland High School Science Wing in this file photo.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Police expect to bring charges next week against juvenile suspects in last weekend's vandalism at Cleveland High School's science wing.

Detectives Matt Jenkins and Steve Ross continue to work the case, according to the Cleveland Police Department.

Intruders broke into the science wing -- which is separate from the main school building -- and wrote graffiti, including some names, on the walls; broke light bulbs not yet installed; chipped a wall corner; and sprayed the area with a fire extinguisher. Some tools also were reported missing.

No monetary damage estimate was available Wednesday.

School officials say the damage does not affect the completion of the $8 million science wing.

The Cleveland School Board's Site Committee and other board members visited the construction site Wednesday to choose floor tile colors.

Only a few chips in some walls remained visible as evidence of the vandalism. Except for some names, the graffiti has been painted over.

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Site Committee Chairman Murl Dirksen said a plaque naming the science wing in honor of Max Carroll, who served on the school board for 25 years, is being prepared by Upland Design Group, architects for the building.

Peggy Pesterfield, board chairman, said flooring tile choices will be officially approved at the next board meeting, but the contractors received approval to order them now.

Contact Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.