Vandalism that postponed Bishop Ward graduation hit several areas of school: police
Kansas City, Kansas, police said Monday that “several” areas of Bishop Ward High School were vandalized last week and that officials are still working to assess the value of the property damage.
Police said they believe students may have been involved in the incident, which prompted school and church officials to postpone graduation ceremonies scheduled for this week.
Nancy Chartrand, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, said in a statement that police believe multiple people, “potentially students,” entered the school building on May 7 and vandalized several areas. The identities of those involved and the total value of the damage has not yet been determined, she said.
Police were initially called to the school shortly before 8 a.m. on Friday about a reported burglary, she said.
“KCKPD detectives are working collaboratively with school officials to gather facts and determine exactly what took place,” Chartrand said. “Our role is to conduct a fair, thorough, and professional investigation, and provide the appropriate information to the leadership of Bishop Ward so they may make decisions regarding student discipline and/or their pursuit of criminal charges.”
Anyone with information about the incident may contact police anonymously by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
Baccalaureate mass and graduation ceremonies were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, according to the school’s calendar.
“After consultation with law enforcement, the Bishop Ward Board of Trustees, and the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, school leadership made the difficult decision to postpone commencement exercises until the investigation has concluded,” school and church leaders said in a statement.
“We recognize the disappointment this causes for students and families, but we believe it is important to allow the process to move forward thoroughly and fairly,” the statement said.
