By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
Six Sacramento Unified School District campuses, dubbed Superintendent's Priority Schools, are undergoing facelifts this summer and district officials seek the community's help in protecting them from vandalism.
The six campuses - Jedediah Smith, Father Keith B. Kenny and Oak Ridge elementary schools, Will C. Wood and Fern Bacon middle schools and Hiram Johnson High School - serve approximately 4,600 children, most of whom live in poverty, according to a district news release.
This summer, district crews are repainting classrooms, conducting campuswide deep cleaning and improving landscaping. Video surveillance cameras also are being repaired or replaced.
But officials say vandals are undoing improvement efforts by tagging newly painted walls with graffiti, breaking newly planted trees in half and pulling out shrubs.
At Fern Bacon Middle School, thieves stole six large aluminum vents from rooftop air conditioning units, costing the district $1,800, according to Police Sgt. Vince Matranga, head of district security.
"We really need help watching over these schools," Acting Chief Accountability Officer Mary Shelton, who oversees the priority schools, said in the news release.
To report suspicious behavior on a school campus within the Sacramento city limits, call the Sacramento Police Department (916) 264-5471.
Residents outside city boundaries are advised to call the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115. School District Security also is available around the clock by calling at (916) 643-7444.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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