School Supe Demands 'Justice' After Bus Vandalism

Days after Superintendent Nancy Carney said the district is working with law enforcement to seek justice.

"I am truly mystified as to why anyone would do this kind of damage and the public should know that we are fully cooperating with the police department and the district attorney to see that justice is done," Carney said, at Tuesday night's board of education meeting.

The vandals, Carney said, discharged fire extinguishers inside the buses, painted graffiti and damaged electrical and mechanical systems -- with damage totaling approximately $69,000.

Riverhead Town Police responded to the report of multiple criminal mischiefs and larcenies and was also arrested. All were charged with criminal mischief in the second degree, criminal trespass, and petit larceny.

In 2010, Pertillar was listed when he was a junior at Riverhead HIgh School.

"Thanks to the watchful eyes of a district security guard and the able work of the Riverhead Town Police, several arrests were made shortly after the incidents occurred," Carney said.

The superintendent also commended the work and dedication of district transportation, custodial and maintenance departments who galvanized between 1:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. last Thursday to make sure the buses were ready for school Friday morning. The district, Carney said, faced the possibliltiy of being unable to open school, without those efforts. "More than 25 people went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that our students would have a clean and safe means to get to school on June 8," she said.

Next, Carney said, transportation department employees and employees from a private cleaning company hired by New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal spent the weekend cleaning the buses again. 

Each of the buses was washed and the NYSIR crew cleaned the inside of the vehicles. Work included disassembling seats, washing the floors, windows, cushions and seat belts, vacuuming out the ventilation systems and putting everything back into place.

A security vehicle was also cleaned; a broken window, as well as body damage, to that vehicle is also being repaired. Carney said an adjustor visited the district last weekend to document damage; parts will need to be ordered to permanently repair damaged wiring systems.

"We are still totaling up the costs that this incident carried, but suffice it to say it amounts to a monumental waste of time and energy for our employees and a large claim to our insurance carrier," Carney said. Although the estimated cost of damage is currently $69,000, "we are waiting for additional information before that figure is finalized," Carney said.

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