Vandals rip out school fencing

Vandals struck Fair-Mont-Egan School sometime Tuesday night.

About 60 yards of fencing around the school parking lot were pulled from the ground by a vehicle.

It was believed that someone in the vehicle hooked a chain around a post attached to the fencing and proceeded to drive away, pulling more fencing from the ground.

Fair-Mont-Egan Principal Christine Schmidt-Anthony discovered the mangled fencing and tire marks when she arrived at school around 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“I think it’s really sad that people have to resort to vandalism for fun,” Schmidt-Anthony said.

Fair-Mont-Egan Clerk Susan Clanton said the school is seeking bids to replace the fencing, which separates the school parking lot from the main road. She said estimates are expected by tomorrow.

“This will be a very expensive repair for us,” Clanton said.

She added that the school is considering purchasing security cameras for the exterior of the school, which serves kindergarten through eighth grade.

Clanton said the school will use general-fund money to replace the fencing.

“We’ve set our budget and we allow contingency funds for unexpected or unplanned repairs, but it’s a shame to waste it on something like this,” Clanton said.

Schmidt-Anthony and Clanton said anyone with information about the incident should report it to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.