FORT SMITH, Ark. — A Fort Smith elementary school has been vandalized for a second time after several volunteers and members of the PTA nearly fixed what vandals had done a month ago.
Ballman Elementary's Outdoor Classroom and Learning Garden took another hit over the weekend. PTA Vice President Laura Husk said that newly planted plants were ripped from the ground, water tanks toppled over, and a sign dedicating the garden to a former teacher was dented and left on the ground.
"People came and ripped up plants that we had replanted," Husk said. "They tore apart our rain barrels, pulling off all the nozzles so they can't even hold water anymore."
The classroom, originally an Eagle Scout project, was first vandalized in the early hours of Monday, July 22. Picnic tables were toppled over, and plants were ruined.
Just a couple of weeks ago, volunteers worked to donate new plants, trees, tools, and supplies to restore the space ahead of the school year beginning on Aug. 19.
"Why is somebody targeting a school, a place where kids are supposed to be safe and feel secure?" Husk said. "Out here especially, where we're trying to give them an opportunity to have a safe place to come and de-stress. There's a lot going on in school, and there's a lot of anxiety and kids need an outlet for that."
Members of the PTA take turns caring for the garden, Husk said. Throughout the school day, Husk said different classrooms also take turns watering the plants.
After the Fort Smith community rallied to fix the classroom and the garden after the first vandalism, the elementary's oasis took a second hit.
"I'm hoping that the person or people can be found and it can stop," Husk said. "Maybe we get more security. Maybe we have more help keeping it safe, but then I know our PTA and our parents are resilient, and we will keep showing up, rebuilding, because our kids are worth it."
Fort Smith Public Schools' Chief of Police Eric Humber provided the following statement:
"We are currently aware of another incident involving the garden at Ballman Elementary School being vandalized. This matter is currently under investigation, and our investigator is actively working to identify the suspect(s) involved in this criminal mischief."
Husk said that there are cameras on buildings at Ballman, but added the quality was not clear enough to make out the suspect's faces.
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