Scotland County school officials are describing last week’s vandalism at Scotland High School as an end-of-the-year prank by students.
Last Thursday night, soap was poured into the fountain outside the school’s main entrance. In addition, some of the building’s windows were painted over in what, according to school spokesman Andy Cagle, was likely a senior prank.
Other “pranks” are said to have included ordering 100 pizzas to be delivered to the school under principal Beth Ammons’ name. The Laurinburg Exchange also received several photos showing outdoor tables and benches that were turned over, damaged or covered in toilet paper.
School officials say the incident was captured on surveillance video although some of the vandals may have been wearing masks or hoodies.
“It’s something that we’re investigating - they’re still reviewing all the security tape and trying to figure out who the kids were that were on campus,” Cagle said.
None of the damage was permanent, and the school was resumed without incident on the last day of classes Friday. School officials have not provided a cost estimate for the damage.
Cagle said that this kind of routine year-end prank is why the school board’s 2012-2013 budget proposes construction of a six foot brick fence to secure the campus.
“It’s not something we want students doing, being on campus after hours,” Cagle said. “That campus is fairly open and if folks want to gain access to it, they can.”
The fencing project is projected to cost $75,000.
If we really must have the fence we ought to go ahead and put razor wire on top too. That certainly would detour someone and turn our school into a true prison.. Yes I agree the people that done this damage went a little overboard.
But I also saw kids the last two days of school laughing,throwing water on each other hugging each other having a good time and the only thing that got damaged was a shirt that got wet. Let's not take the fun out of High School by making it look like a prison. Our kids deserve better than that. They are not criminals so let's not make them feel like they are by attending school.
So I urge the school board don't turn our school into a Monday morning joke at the water cooler.