Science classroom at Wright Charter School in Santa Rosa vandalized

On Thursday morning, custodians at Wright Charter School in Santa Rosa discovered that the seventh and eighth grade English and science classroom windows had been broken into, with the science classroom completely vandalized, according to district officials.

The science classroom was “complete destruction,” Wright Elementary School District Superintendent Lisa Saxon said.

The science teacher’s laptop and an Apple TV were destroyed. Stools, tables and book carts were overturned. Bottles of paint, fire extinguisher residue and cabinet contents, including papers, corn starch and sugar used for experiments were strewn everywhere.

Based on preliminary estimates, the damage will cost more than $40,000, Saxon said, which they’re hoping will be covered by insurance.

School officials do not yet know who did it or why.

“We are extremely sad. It’s clearly a senseless act and its super violating to our school community... I hope that somebody steps forward so that we can identify who is responsible for this pretty serious crime, and whoever did the crime can get some help,” Saxon added. “Clearly it’s someone who’s really angry.”

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the break-in and subsequent vandalism, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deputy Rob Dillion confirmed.

The vandalism happened while students and staff were on winter break, likely the night of Jan. 3 or early morning Jan. 4, Saxon said.

District officials are working with the Sonoma County Office of Education to provide behavioral health support to those who need it. Families and staff have been notified of the incident, Saxon said.

The district will also be holding a listening circle to hear from staff Tuesday afternoon, and plan to allow students to walk through the classroom so they can process what happened.

The science class will be temporarily relocated to another classroom.

“The rest of our staff and our district have been amazing,” Saxon added. “They have wrapped their arms around the (science) teacher and they have volunteered their time to help sort through the salvaged items and assist with setting up and preparing the temporary classroom.”

You can reach Staff Writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or alana.minkler@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter,) @alana_minkler.