GEORGIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM CLASSROOM http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2007/03/20/0321gwxbreakin.html

Equipment in Lilburn classroom trailers stolen, damaged
By LAURA DIAMONDThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/20/07
Nine classroom trailers at Hopkins Elementary School in Lilburn were broken into last weekend, school district spokeswoman Sloan Roach said.

Five laptop computers were stolen or damaged, Roach said. Other equipment also was destroyed, she said. The district hasn't estimated the cost of the damage.

School police are investigating the incident, which occurred Saturday evening or Sunday, she said.

"We take any type of vandalism against school system property seriously and we will follow leads to determine who did this," Roach said.

Schools were closed Monday, but some Hopkins teachers were on campus and notified school resource officers about the damage, Roach said. Two classes typically held in the trailers were moved to the main school building Tuesday so the portable classrooms could be repaired, Roach said.

The school system has had theft problems before.

In December, the district sent principals an e-mail asking them to secure all computer equipment over winter break. Associate Superintendent Bobby Crowson wrote that the district had spent about $185,000 in 18 months to replace stolen laptops.

In 2004, school police made four arrests and recovered about 40 stolen laptops, projectors and other electronic devices.