Teachers at Detroit school return to classroom to find huge mess

Nsoroma Institute vandalized over holiday break, class canceled for clean up

DETROIRTThe Nsoroma Institute on the east side of Detroit was vandalized over the holiday break.

The damage was so bad that classes had to be canceled so crews could clean it up.

Staff came back to books and paperwork tossed all over the place. The front office and classrooms were a complete mess.

"The lower elementary classes were hit ravaged the rooms, went through teachers desks," said Liz Whitaker, the school's principal.

Class is back in session for the K-8th grade public charter school.

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Police are trying to figure out how the vandals got in. They got away with computers and cash, among other things.

"We're here to serve children and families so anyone who wants to harm our institution. We're here to do good. I really feel sorry for the person who did this," said Whitaker.

The institute is a small school with an African-inspired student body of only 178 kids.

Financial woes have given school leaders a constant fight to keep the school open, and now this.

"It's been tough. We live in an area that gets all the attention for the wrong reasons," said Whitaker.

Students were out of school a little longer as teachers came in and cleaned up.

For students, it's back to the classroom to learn and to hope the institution will continue to stay open.

"The institution is only as strong as the community who supports it. We're calling on the community to stand with us as we continue to educate our children," said Whitaker.

The school is holding a concert fundraiser at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Tickets are $20.

For more information on the Nsoroma Institute go to www.NsoromaInstitute.org.