About $25,000 worth of computer equipment was stolen over the weekend from the computer-science classroom of Tomales High by a "sophisticated burglar," deputies reported this week.

Although there are no suspects, "we think the burglar is knowledgeable about the guts of a computer - especially the expensive components," said Sheriff's Lt. Jim Riddell.

Computers were targeted by the burglar, he said. Musical equipment and other office equipment in the building was left untouched.

Six computers were dismantled and selectively picked through sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, the lieutenant said. The computers' server, hard drives, memory boards, video boards, and modems were taken - along with a new color scanner.

"This wasn't a petty burglary by any means," Riddell said, adding that control boards and chips can be easily resold on the computer-recycling market.

"It's just nasty," said Jim Patterson, Tomales High's principal. "This [burglary] has taken us all off-line. I feel especially sorry for the kids. Some are having a hard time completing their final projects because of this.

"Now we need to beef up security."

Tamalpais High Principal Frank Gold is sympathetic. A server and the central processing units (or "towers") from 35 computers were stolen from his school in April 1996 - a loss of between $70,000 and $80,000.

"We're so vulnerable," Gold said. "It's hard for schools to meet the maintenance and security costs of computers, which are critical tools for our students."

No one was tagged for the crime, he said, but the "shells" of the stolen computer equipment turned up nearly a year later - in Bolinas Lagoon.

There may be a connection between the two high school burglaries, Lt. Riddell noted, "but that's all speculation at this point. We're continuing our investigation now."

Those with any information regarding the stolen computer equipment may call Lt. Riddell at 663-1151.