King and Queen County school closed after vandalization

Authorities closed Central High School in King and Queen County early yesterday after they discovered the building had been broken into and vandalized, the county superintendent of schools said.

A dairy delivery driver noticed the school had been broken into just before 5 a.m., said Superintendent Richard W. Layman.

Amid concern that a suspect could possibly still be inside the building, officials closed the school and the sheriff's department and state police began a room-by-room search, Layman said.

"We were not about to have anyone in the building until we knew it was absolutely safe," he said.

The school will reopen Monday.

A monetary damage estimate was not immediately available, but Layman said the vandalism included damage to doors, cabinetry, the JROTC room and the principal's office. He said it appeared that someone had gone through keys in lockboxes.

So far, he said, officials have not confirmed any thefts from the school.

Layman said the Central High community is proud of the school's academic achievements and was disappointed to see the building damaged.