Graffiti on and around quad shocks many

As maintenance workers opened the campus on Monday, Nov. 22, they found areas in and around the quad covered in graffiti.

Among other areas targeted, according to plant operations supervisor Brian Moran, were the Falcon mosaic in the the quad, the ground of the east entrance to the quad, and the mural on the side the Little Theater. All were spray painted with obscene images.

“We got on it right away. It’s not the kind of thing we take our time about,” Moran said. “We go after graffiti and vandalism acts pretty quickly. There was four of us involved in cleaning, and we got it all in a couple hours.”

Although no trace of the graffiti remains, Moran did communicate to the authorities and sent them pictures to be documented.

Assistant principal Karen Hyde doubts the vandalism acts were caused by Saratoga students.

“It certainly wouldn’t be Saratoga kids,” said Hyde. “They would not be drawing that stuff—our kids are smarter than that. It has to be someone from outside.”

However, if it is a high school student, then they would be punished with suspension, at the least, said Hyde.

Moran also said a weekend supervisor works from 7:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, so it is highly possible that the vandalism was done after that.

Officials are looking at the footage from the cameras stationed around campus to determine if any suspects can be identified, Hyde said.

Although the school still has no leads, Hyde remains convinced that an outsider is responsible for the graffiti.

“I think our kids are at home studying all the time,” Hyde said. “I don’t think they have time to go in the middle of the night and graffiti.”