EAST CHICAGO | School officials are beefing up security at Carrie Gosch Elementary School following reports of vandalism in which "high-powered" sling shots were used to destroy windows at the school.

School Security Chief Gus Flores told East Chicago School Board members that vandals caused $12,000 in damage by using marbles to break the windows.

Flores said the district, which uses ISM Security, will have officers make afternoon and evening checks at the school. Fencing around the school and cameras with strobe lights also will be installed.

"People will see it, and it will be a deterrent," Flores said.

In addition, East Chicago schools Treasurer Frank Ramirez said the district will spend $35,000 at Carrie Gosch to upgrade its wire system so the Internet and telephones run more efficiently. Some landscaping work also will be done at the school.

Ramirez said the district will spend about $60,000 from an outstanding bond issue for work at Block Junior High School. Contractors will put in new tile in the front entrance, secure the door and spiff up the boys and girls locker rooms.

Ramirez said there is a long hallway in the building that is somewhat dark, so new lights will be installed there.

Roofers will repair some trouble spots at McKinley Elementary School, Ramirez said.

The treasurer also told board members he picked up a check for $1.72 million from the Lake County treasurer's office for homestead and property tax replacement credits. The money will go into the school district's general fund and debt service fund.

That was part of $149 million the county received from the state in late June and early July to be disbursed to Lake County's 50-plus taxing units, including schools and municipalities.