Senior Prank Delays Start of School

Updated 2:50 p.m. Thursday 

Muskego police say they have identified six Muskego High School seniors involved in vandalism of school buses that led to a two-hour delay to the start of school Thursday. 

Thursday's incident, in which air was let out of tires on 61 out of 63 buses, may be related to an incident June 4. Four seniors left several derogatory words and obscene drawings were left on Muskego High School with chalk and window soap, according to a Muskego Police Department news release. 

Three of the four involved in that incident participated in the school bus vandalism, according to police. "2013" was written in soap on many of the buses' back doors.

The investigation is ongoing and the students involved have not been named. The incident is being investigated as senior prank, Muskego Police Lt. David Constantineau said Thursday morning.

Superintendent Kelly Thompson said high school administrators, school resources officers and other Muskego officers worked together to discover those responsible for the vandalism. 

"We are incredibly grateful for the time and effort they committed to conduct a swift, thorough and successful investigation," Thompson said in an e-mail. "We are proud of each of them and thankful for the strong partnership we continue to have with the Muskego Police Department."

Officials will seek restitution and other consequences, Thompson said.

Bus service was fully restored by about 8:30 a.m., less than three hours after the vandalism was reported to police. Muskego High School started at 9:25 a.m., middle schools at 9:50 a.m. and elementary schools at 11:10 a.m.

While the vandalism did not lead to permanent damage to the buses, it caused an incredible amount of trouble—and anger—for parents, many of whom have to scramble to find day care for their kids.

The incident cancelled morning 4-year-old kindergarten, programs serving early childhood and field trips.

One irate parent called the Muskego Police Department saying the school delay cost her an extra $22 to put her kids in day care, Constantineau said. 

"Some people don't have that $22," he said.

Some on Muskego Patch's Facebook page also weren't happy with what happened this morning. 

"Someday, these pranksters will realize when they are parents how disruptive this is to everyone! I hope they get caught!" wrote Lisa Marie Duller.

Many students, however, had a different take. Here's a sample of what people are saying on Twitter this morning:

• "Muskego's seniors take pranks to a whole new level."
• "Gotta say that's a pretty good senior prank muskego."
  
• "Well our school has made the news twice this year due to something bad. Keep it classy Muskego!"
  
• "Props to the muskego seniors #yougoguys"