In an ugly instance that one school official called "vulgar," vandals spray painted a swastika as well as derogatory pictures and messages inside Valley Stream High School South.
"The pictures and comments were directed at faculty and staff in the building," said Det. Sergeant Anthony Repalone of the Nassau County Police.
"This is not believed to be a bias crime."
All summer school classes were cancelled Friday after the vandalism was discovered.
Incoming high school junior Vinny Cavello was supposed to begin his day at a driver's education course; but, security guards turned him away.
"Out of nowhere, to have vandalism," Cavello lamented. "I thought the school was safe. That makes it feel very uncomfortable."
A group of teens is believed responsible, according to police.
Local
The vandals smashed a second floor classroom window to enter the school between two and three in the morning Friday. They had scaled several dumpsters to get to that secluded window, said police.
"I saw a car fly by and stared at some kids walking toward the school," recalled neighbor Rich Cavello, who arrived home at around the time the vandals struck.
While Cavello is not sure if he saw the vandals, according to police, surveillance cameras outside the school did. Police are now reviewing the video.
"We're confident that will lead to a positive identification of the vandals," said Det. Sergeant Repalone.
Damage to the school is estimated at around twenty thousand dollars, said police. The cleanup is expected to take all weekend, with summer school classes scheduled to resume Monday, according to the Valley Stream schools superintendent.
Among the classes cancelled Friday were vital Regents review courses that, now, may not be made up.
