Vandals cause school cancellation
By JEN MATSICK (jmatsick@reviewonline.comArticle Photos
SALINEVILLE - Southern Local school district superintendent James Herring received a call from his maintenance supervisor at approximately 4:30 a.m. Tuesday alerting him of a transformer that was leaking fluid.
About 15 minutes later, Herring received a second call from his bus coordinator, who stated that someone had slashed the tires of several buses with a knife.
As a result, Herring had to cancel classes.
According to Herring, at approximately 6:30 a.m. the group was able to see that someone had shot three 12-gauge shotgun slugs through the transformer and that oil was leaking from it.
Ohio EPA on-scene coordinator Bart Ray stated that the oil was a type of mineral oil that acts as a coolant inside the transformer.
"When it was vandalized, that oil leaked out and caused the unit to overheat," Ray said.
Ray estimated that approximately 20-30 gallons of oil leaked from the transformer, but stated that the leak did not get into any waterways or drainage systems.
Herring stated that the Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department was called in to clean up the oil with a special material.
"The volunteer fire department was very helpful; they came and did that very quickly for us," Herring said. "They had that all done by, I would say, about 9 a.m."
Ray stated that the clean-up process for the oil took approximately two hours.
"That was to soak up the material and sweep it up and collect it and dispose of it," Ray said.
Ray stated that there were no other environmental issues as a result of the leak.
The transformer is owned by Carroll Electric, which had the unit replaced by 2 p.m.
After the transformer was replaced, Herring stated that the group went through the school building and checked everything.
As for the buses, Herring stated that someone shot at the buses with birdshot. The damage from the shot was minor, however, requiring only that the buses be repainted.
In addition to the tire slashings and shots, Herring stated that someone kicked the door of a bus and broke the glass in it.
"We did get all the buses fixed today, all new tires are on the buses that needed to have them replaced," Herring said.
Herring stated that what happened "is a shame" and "had no purpose whatsoever."
"Nothing was gained by this. This was basically taxpayers' money being thrown away," Herring said.
