Bowie High closed Friday amid 'considerable damage'

Austin's largest high school will be closed for a second day Friday after Bowie High School officials discovered what they described as "considerable damage," including more than 75 broken windows and glass doors, at the campus early Thursday.

School district police around 4:40 a.m. found damaged windows and doors in the front of the building, the gymnasium, and academic wings. The school's principal said the damage was caused by someone throwing rocks. Citing safety concerns, school officials decided to cancel all classes and events at the South Austin campus Thursday.

The school would be cancelling Friday classes as well while cleanup and repairs take place, including the installation of pre-cut plexiglass and plywood to replace the damaged doors and windows.

In addition, "the glass breaking exposed an adhesive that contained asbestos from the original construction," a district spokesperson told the American-Statesman. "We are working with experts to identify how to safely remove the debris."

Austin school district police are investigating the damage as a crime, school officials said in an email to families.

District police think a single male suspect was involved and they released a photo of him wearing a dark hooded jacket. Anyone with information about the person in the photo or the case can call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.

Bowie High, which serves about 2,945 students in the Austin Independent School District with more than 200 faculty and staff members, is expected to resume classes on Monday.

Help us identify this suspect from last nights criminal mischief at Bowie H.S. If you know this person call@CrimeStopATX at (512)472-8477, there is a reward in it for you!#helpusout#WEareAISDpic.twitter.com/poASKZIqpe

— Austin ISD Police (@AISDPolice)December 13, 2018