Damaged Nipawin school closed for second day

By Doug Lett

A school in Nipawin that was vandalized is going to be closed for a second day.

Wagner Elementary School was hit by vandalism early Sunday morning.

While school officials have not provided a dollar figure for the damage, a news release sent Monday afternoon describes “extensive vandalism, with most learning spaces affected within the school.”

(Submitted)

It adds the school division has pulled staff together to help with clean up, but it will take time.

“There is a significant mess to clean, however, because of the dedicated work of staff, the school will be ready for students on Wednesday.”

Photos sent to northeastNOW show furniture and papers strewn across hallways.

The RCMP said officers were dispatched when an alarm from the school came in around 1 a.m. on Sunday. In a news release, RCMP say officers found the school damaged, and started searching the area. They arrested and charged a female youth, who faces a charge of break and enter, and is due in court April 19.

“A number of computers were damaged, desks and chairs were thrown around and walls were graffitied,” the release said.

“A lot of people are kind of ticked off about it, especially when they have to close the school down,” said Dalton Clifford, who is setting up a Citizens on Patrol program in Nipawin. “People have concerns, I’ll give you that.”

“I don’t know why they took on schools,” he added.

Because the girl is a youth, her identity is subject to a publication ban.

RCMP are asking anyone who may have information about the case to contact Nipawin RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Meanwhile, the North East School Division is thanking the community for messages of support, and offers to help clean.

The news release adds student led conferences are being moved from this week to March 15 and 16 next week, with teachers sending out new invitations and schedules.

“The school community support and understanding is greatly appreciated,” it adds.