Zilker Elementary apparently has turned into a magnet school — for people with destructive tendencies. Since the school year began, vandals have twice destroyed cement picnic tables and benches, most recently during the first week of April. And in March, Zilker students returning to school from spring break were saddened to discover that someone had ripped the antenna of the school radio station off the roof, smashed it, and threw it down onto the parking lot. So far, the police haven’t found any suspects or witnesses for any of the attacks, said APD spokesman Sgt. David Rider. Last Friday, an APD officer visited the school to say the department would beef up patrols nearby.

“Our school has really positive energy, so in general, I don’t know where it’s coming from,” said Principal Ramona Treviño. The destruction of their picnic tables have been “very upsetting” to Zilker’s approximately 450 students, whose families’ income levels vary. The latest pack of vandals also broke skylights above the gym — altogether committing about $2,000 worth of damages, according to police reports. Treviño says each table set costs around $250 — “about $1,000 a hit.” Zilker will have to cover replacement fees itself, since the school bought the tables with money generated from fundraisers or donated by the PTA. To buy more vandal-proof, metal tables, Zilker will have to shell out at least $530 per set, Treviño says. She’d like to consult the city Parks and Recreation Department, which manages parkland adjoining the school, to find a vendor that can provide the tables at a more affordable price.

On the brighter side, someone has replaced the school’s damaged radio tower for free. Yet vandals could strike again: Treviño says the campus has many places where kids can hang out at night, and skateboarders with attitude problems continue to ruin planters and tear down signage. “That’s been the biggest problem,” she said, adding that she wouldn’t object if the city decided to build a skate park near the area.

Donations can be made to Ramona Treviño, Principal, Zilker Elementary School, 1900 Bluebonnet, Austin, 78704.

This article appears in April 19 • 2002.

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