Salem School Seeks Help Repairing, Replacing Vandalized Mini-Bus

SALEM, MA — A small Salem private school is seeking the public's help repairing or replacing a mini school bus that was vandalized with crude graffiti and broken windows as students gardened just a few feet away last week.

Principal Dan Welch and the school have begun a fundraising campaign with a goal of $25,000 to either fix the bus or replace the bus so the former vehicle can be turned into a plant emporium.

Welch said that on April 18 security cameras caught two boys and two girls, believed to be teenagers, breaking into the bus on the school's campus. While most schools were on vacation that week, the Greenhouse School — which runs year-round — was not and conducting a recreation week that included tending to the garden campus.

"The uneasy thing for us was that it happened in broad daylight, barely a few yards from route 1A where 25,000 cars a day pass," Welch said. "Neighbors have expressed support as well as discomfort at how this can happen in the open. We need your help."

Welch said the vandalism left the school without transportation.

"Even a small Baby Bus version," he said. "We'll do the best we can.

"We are determined to make a positive result out of all this."

Director Julia Nambalirwa-Lugudde said the students were gardening outside when the damage is believed to have happened. It was then noticed after students ate lunch and went on a bike trip.

The bus has sentimental value at the school with the plan being to raise money to fix it up or repurpose it.

Those wishing to donate to the GiveSendGo fund can do so here.

As of Monday afternoon, the Greenhouse School had raised $1,300 of its $25,000 goal.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)