Vandals ransack classrooms at James Dukes Elementary School

Ramona Unified School District officials are assessing damage to several classrooms at James Dukes Elementary School following a vandalism spree that hit especially hard the weekend of July 7 and 8.

Lead Custodian Johnny Kirk said classrooms have been broken into and vandalized over several weekends since June 9.

Rena Seifts, assistant superintendent of administrative services, said last weekend was the fourth time the school was broken into. The individuals involved have been identified and are being interviewed by law enforcement, she said, adding that she cannot say any more.

The ransacked rooms were littered with classroom materials, soda cans, chip bags, used candles and glitter on the carpet. Vandals poured paint over school supplies, threw paint on walls and cupboards, and, among other things, poured thousands of beads in one room, took bags of chips and soda from one room and ate and drank them in another room.

An effort is underway to replace the classroom materials. Anyone wanting to help replace some of the materials may send donations to Ramona Unified School District. The district can accept cash or checks, but not gift cards. Cash and check donations are tax-deductible, Seifts said.

Checks may be mailed to RUSD Administrative Services, 720 Ninth St., Ramona, CA 92065.

“At this point, there was no forced entry — either the door was unlocked or they had a key,” sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Samuels said.

Four weeks ago, the school district put new locks on the school’s supply sheds and sea trains and on Tuesday put a new lock on one classroom door, Kirk said.

“There were no keys reported missing to me,” Kirk said.

Anyone with information about the vandalism may contact the sheriff’s Ramona Substation at 760-789-9157.