BEND, OR -- Mountain View High canceled its senior BBQ and assembly Wednesday, after vandals caused significant damage throughout the school. Bend-La Pine Schools officials tell KBND News 20 students broke in Tuesday night, for what may have started as a senior prank. But Principal Michael Hicks said in a sttement, "This was no prank; this was willful destruction and theft of school property."
Students tell KBND News the front entrance was "trashed," food was shoved into toilets and some classrooms were vandalized with graffiti. There are not yet cost estimates for repairs. Law enforcement is assisting in the investigation.
In a note to families, Principal Hicks said, "Senior checkout and graduation rehearsal is still scheduled for tomorrow. Our hope is that tomorrow onward we are back on track in celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2024." Mountain View’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at the school.
UPDATE (June 7, 2024): Bend-La Pine Schools released more information Friday, along with photos of the damage allegedly caused by students. District officials say additional vandalism occurred Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, with exterior windows spray painted with "obscene messages."
Tuesday night, they say around 20 students entered the school and turned over furniture in classrooms and common areas, food and trash were thrown on floors, equipment in a math classroom was broken, a wall was damaged and nearly $1,000-worth of yearbooks were stolen. The first arriving staff also foud concrete poured into two appliances positioned in front of the main entrance, blocking access (pictured above), and hot dogs dumped into toilets, presumably food intended for the Senior BBQ.
According to the district, "After meeting with the students involved, the school imposed a variety of disciplinary measures. The consequences include:
- A one-year trespass from all Bend-La Pine School District campuses, beginning on June 9, 2024.
- A hand-written, sincere letter to future seniors who might be thinking about pranking or damaging the school, and why that is not a great idea based on your experiences this past week.
- Completing five hours of supervised, school-specific community service.
- A few students have lost their privilege to participate in Saturday's graduation ceremony due to the level of their involvement."
Principal Michael Hicks released a statement Friday:
“In the past there have been senior pranks that are creative, memorable and harmless. What happened this week was malicious and insulting toward our building staff and student body. I cannot condone this sort of behavior toward our school. It’s important that these events not overshadow the accomplishments of this senior class. This is a week for gratitude, reflection and celebration with family and friends. We look forward to honoring our graduates on Saturday for this remarkable milestone.”
Images courtesy of Bend-La Pine Schools
