A reward of up to $1,000 may be offered, through either CRIMESTOPPERS or the District 348 office, concerning the vandalism that occurred at Mt. Carmel Middle School (MCMS) Wednesday night.

That statement was made Thursday afternoon by District 348 Superintendent Tim Buss as he conducted a media tour of MCMS to show the damage caused by the person, or persons, unknown, who broke into the school and smashed more than a few panes of glass. Several fire extinguishers were also discharged.

School was closed Thursday, but classes resumed today.

Buss said the building is equipped with smoke detectors, but not a security system. He said such a system had been discussed for many years, but the district has never had to worry about such an incident.

"At times like this we have to revisit those discussions," he said.

Buss confirmed that a window at the back of the school had been broken Tuesday night -- the day before the major vandalism occurrence. That earlier incident also was reported to the police.

Buss also reiterated a statement he made at a Thursday morning press conference: He was taking this incident personally.

The superintendent said the faculty and staff, as well as several parents who volunteered to clean up the mess, "did an unbelievable job."

Buss said all students would be marked as "absent" for Thursday, but he had yet to contact the Regional Office of Education about the situation. The "absent" marking would affect the district's state aid, Buss said, and he did not know if that money could be recovered.

School was dismissed, Buss said, because of the safety issue involved. Shards of glass were everywhere -- in the main office area where a door was shattered; in some classrooms in each wing of the building where other glass panels were shattered; and in the media center, where windows separating that area from the teachers' workroom were destroyed.

Buss said five laptop computers were taken from the media center, but those were found later, next to the building.

The classrooms were not ransacked, nor were any personal items taken, Buss added. One clock was damaged and a candy machine was broken into.

Several athletic trophies were damaged, some of which cannot be replaced, the Superintendent added.

Rural King, Buss said, donated gloves for those picking up the glass, brooms so the glass could be swept, and Shop Vac so the glass could be cleaned from carpets. St. Mary's School also sent over refreshments for those working the scene.

The superintendent Thursday afternoon restated his belief that the public's response was why Mt. Carmel was "such a great community."

"We've had great cooperation from the parents, the fire department, the police, including the Illinois State Police," he said.

Buss was not the only person upset. He said the faculty was "mad and hurt."

The break-in was discovered at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday when a smoke alarm went off and alerted the Mt. Carmel Fire Department. When the firefighters arrived, they discovered the damage and turned the scene over to the police immediately.

Buss said the insurance adjuster would be at the school today (Friday) to assess damage. The superintendent added an inventory of the damage would be supplied at a later date.