Middle Superintendent Issues Statement on High School Vandalism

COURT HOUSE – A group of about 20 Middle Township High School seniors have been identified as having vandalized parts of the high school, including administrative offices.
According to information provided by Dr. David Salvo, superintendent of the Middle Township School District, the 20 or so senior students trespassed at the school and initiated what some have described as a “senior prank.” However, Salvo doesn’t see the matter as fun and games.
“The Middle Township School District is disappointed and disheartened at the actions of a group of twenty (21) senior students who chose to trespass onto school property and commit acts of vandalism in the high school building, including administrative offices,” Salvo wrote. “To be clear, there is no way the students could have considered their actions as a so-called ‘senior prank.’”
Salvo said the students entered the high school building at approximately 1 a.m., June 12, and upended furniture, wrecked offices, and spread kitty litter, toilet paper, maple syrup, and other items to vandalize the school.
Salvo said the “intentional vandalism” forced the school to delay the start of the next school day while staff cleaned up the building. Students had to wait in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) while the cleanup took place.
“The actions of these seniors is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and all students involved were disciplined,” Salvo said.
Salvo did not elaborate on the discipline and declined further comment on the matter, but concluded his prepared statement by saying the school district is “considering other legal action, including, but not limited to seeking restitution from the students and their families.”
A Middle Township Police Department spokesman, June 16, referred the Herald back to the school district for further information, saying the department’s involvement was still limited at this point.