Vandals enter school through construction area - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Vandals enter school through construction area

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By Nicky Walters, Reporter - bio | email
WINFIELD -

The basketball team at Winfield Middle School had hoped to play their semi final game on their home court Tuesday night. 

But instead they had to play at be Winfield High School.

Vandals came in over the weekend and spilled water from a floor scrubber on the gym floor causing the wood floor to bow.

Computers, a cooler and other items were vandalized.

Teacher Beth Conner said the intruders got in through a construction area.

The school is undergoing an extensive makeover.

Some parents have expressed concern about students having to walk from the new section of the school over to the old section where this vandalism took place. They are also concerned that the vandals, who were teenagers, were able to get into the gym so easily.

"I have been teaching here for 32 years," Conner said. "I have never taught anywhere else. Nothing like this has ever happened here. This is a very safe school."

Putnam County Schools Superintendent Harold Hatfield said while having the students walk outside is not an ideal situation, it is better than having numerous portable buildings. He said the school maintains strict supervision over students when they are between classes.

Tuesday our crew noticed two doors propped open in the new section of the school. Hatfield said that was an obvious concern that would be addressed.