WOODVILLE &045;&045; Four juveniles, ages 8 to 14, were allegedly caught in the act of vandalizing the main office and classroom building at Wilkinson County High School on Sunday afternoon.

Football coaches who went to the school Sunday to review game films reportedly interrupted the juveniles, who are accused of spraying fire extinguishers and canned drinks in the school’s offices and hallways. Two similar incidents have occurred at the newly-renovated William Winans Middle School in Centreville.

The WWMS cases remain under investigation, but officials do not believe they are related to Sunday’s incident in Woodville.

On Monday morning, WCHS Principal Larry Oliver and Wilkinson County School Superintendent Mildred McGhee pitched in with administrators, janitors and a crew of inmates from an area work release center to help clean up the mess.

&uot;The damage seems to be confined to this one building,&uot; said Oliver, adding that classes resumed as scheduled Monday.

McGhee said the juveniles are currently suspended pending an assessment of the damages.

&uot;We will meet with the parents and give them some options for restitution.

Depending on the outcome, we will probably allow them to return to school,&uot; he said. McGhee said expulsion would not be considered unless the children have previously demonstrated a pattern of bad behavior.

&uot;What good would it do to expel an eight year-old?

I’m not interested in kids not being in school.

I think the parents need to learn that closer supervision is needed for their kids,&uot; McGhee said.

Chief Deputy Patrick Patterson of the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Department said once the investigation is finished, the case will be forwarded to the Wilkinson County Youth Court for further review.