Shocked, disappointed and frustrated are the words Whitman Middle School principal Michael Starosky used to describe the 78 windows broken by vandals on Sunday, May 4.

Windows were shattered along the west side of the school building and on the windows and doors of the gymnasium on the south side.

"Anything with glass, they took a whack at it," said Starosky. He believes a blunt instrument, possibly a baseball bat was used to strike the windows because some of the taller windows were hit also.

After coming to the school to review the damage, Starosky asked the Seattle School District to post a security officer at Whitman overnight that Sunday.

While there has been a big increase in vandalism at Whitman, Starosky said the recent attack is above and beyond what is normal.

Mike Wells, Whitman's school security officer said vandalism has increased over time. He pointed out the lack of lights outside the building and the fact there are no homes nearby.

There are athletic fields surrounding the west and south sides of the school

Starosky believes the windows were broken by more then one student but says there are no leads.

The Seattle Police Department is handling the investigation.

Students at Whitman are upset and are asking who did it and why. They are planning to meet with the school's Parent Teacher Student Association on the issue.

Whitman is often the target of graffiti.

"Graffiti is not uncommon for any school," said Wells.

Both the students and staff are trying to figure out how to stop the vandalism and to keep it from happening again.

"Students are coming together for a solution to the problem. They don't think it's right," said Starosky.

Vandalism has a negative affect on the school climate and can be disempowering for the students. The vandals need to know people like and care about their school said Starosky.

Call the Seattle Police Department North Precinct at 684-0850 if you have any information on the vandalism.