Vandals targeted DeLand High School Tuesday night, leaving damaged doors and broken windows, according to Volusia County Schools.

  • Vandals hit DeLand High School Tuesday night
  • Glass doors and windows were broken
  • A computer lab was also damaged

The DeLand Police Department received a call at about 6 a.m. about damage at the school.

School officials say there was "significant" damage to glass doors and glass windows of multiple classrooms. One of the computer labs was also broken into and damaged.

The vandalism forced about 200 students out of their classrooms and into one gym for classes Wednesday.

“It’s terrible this has happened," said Shirley Litteral, who has two sons that go to Deland High School. "I just think it’s awful.”

School administrators say cafeteria workers first discovered the damage to the school early Wednesday morning. They say surveillance video shows several people breaking into the school overnight. 

The burglars smashed glass windows at the entrance to several classrooms. They also smashed computer equipment, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. We’re told teachers lost brand new computers.


Broken glass in one of the doors at DeLand High School. (Volusia County Schools)

“They’re very upset their rooms have been damaged and they’ve lost this equipment,” said Nancy Wait, spokesperson for Volusia County Public Schools.

“But what they’re telling me is that the students are more upset about it than the teachers.”

School administrators say there have been pranks at the school before, but those are usually at the end of the school year – not the beginning. And they say they’ve never had anything that’s caused this kind of damage.

“And they probably thought it was funny, and now you and I have to pay for it,” said Lee Clark, whose granddaughter is a student at DeLand High School.

While destructive, investigators say the vandalism didn’t include any graffiti or messages that would indicate any threats to students. That’s some piece of mind for parents like Litteral.

“There was damage, but there was nothing -- they weren’t in danger -- so that to me was the most important thing, that they weren’t in danger,” said Litteral.

School administrators say the damage was so extensive that it could be several more days – or even weeks – before everything is back to normal at the high school.

Deland police weren’t initially releasing the surveillance video from the school. School administrators say it may be hard to identify those who broke into the school because they appear to have covered their faces.

The school is operating as normal, according to the school district. Mitch Moyer, principal of DeLand High School, sent a message to staff and parents about the vandalism:

Good morning parents and guardians.  This is Mitch Moyer, principal of DeLand High School.  I am calling you this morning to inform you that when we arrived to campus this morning, our school had experienced substantial vandalism during the night.  Broken glass and other damage was more than evident.  The DeLand Police Department is on the scene, gathering information needed for their investigation.  We have notified school district officials of this incident.  Most importantly, there is no danger to our students or staff.  We are however, having to reroute some of our classes to our gymnasium until the glass can be cleaned up and clearance is given for usual occupancy by the DPD.  If you would like to review this message please go the DeLand High School webpage.

Thank you everyone and have a great day.