Vandalized Worcester school to reopen Thursday

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Classes will resume Thursday at a Worcester elementary school that was vandalized over the weekend.

Belmont Street Community Elementary School had been closed since suspects ransacked the school on Sunday night, ruining more than 10 classrooms. They reportedly smashed nearly 200 donated computers, ripped hundreds of books from shelves, overturned tables and flooded bathrooms. Damaged property could be found throughout all three floors of the school.

“When I walked into the building and looked at what was happening in grades 1 and 2, my heart just sank. I could not believe the total destruction that had taken place in this building,” said former principal John Monfredo.

Police called the incident one of the worst cases of vandalism the city has ever seen.

School officials estimate that the suspects caused more than $10,000 in damage. They have not yet announced when classes will resume.

Approximately 400 of the community’s most underserved children attend the school.

"I learned English there, so as a school, it changed my life," said one graduate originally from El Salvador.

“We’re talking about children who need the best education possible. To be robbing kids of that education is sinful,” added Monfredo.

Police are asking for the public’s help to find the suspects.

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