MARYSVILLE Marysville-Pilchuck High School has suffered a string of break-ins over the last two weeks, and several high priced items were stolen in the most recent burglary a week ago.
According to assistant superintendent Gail Miller, M-PHS has been hit four times by burglars. Twice the school cafeteria was broken into and the vending machines rifled for money. During a recent burglary, deputies from the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office were keeping an eye on the school at 5611 108th St. NE and apparently surprised the thieves in the act. The person or persons fled in a hurry and left money in the woods next to the school buildings, Miller said.
There have been a series of break-ins, Miller said, noting the increased emphasis on security after many Marysville schools and businesses have been hit by vandals. One weekend spree at the high school caused more than $5,000 damage, and the district filed a claim with its insurance carrier.
They feel they are getting closer to this, Miller said of the security team.
On two other unrelated and independent incidents burglars stole several pieces of equipment, although reports of the take vary according to different faculty and staff members. Sheriffs spokesperson Rebecca Hover said she only heard of a projector stolen, but one teacher said he was hit for three video cameras, three laptops, two desktop computers and a couple 19-inch flat panel monitors used in the TV3 production studios.
Well limp along for a while, said teacher Dick Walsh. You know how it goes.
District maintenance director Keith Stefanson said he wasnt aware of any other break-ins or vandalism in the district. He is one of several members of a city-wide task force to deal with vandalism, along with members of the districts security team.