Tonganoxie police officer John Putthoff said that on New Year’s Eve it was reported that someone had spray-painted lewd drawings and words on the high school’s patio and on the walkbridge south of the school.

Putthoff said he did not think the graffiti was related to two earlier incidents at the school.

Richard Erickson, superintendent, said the graffiti was sandblasted off the patio and bridge on Monday, the day before students returned to school from Christmas break.

Art Sorenson, maintenance director, estimated the cost of sandblasting at $200.

“The police are investigating, and we’ll file charges, if and when, we find the culprit,” Erickson said.

Police continue to investigate two other incidents involving schools that have occurred since Dec. 21.

Erickson said whoever broke into the junior high school and tried to break into the high school on Dec. 28 will be prosecuted.

Putthoff said police had no leads on the break-in.

However, another investigation is progressing, he said. In that incident on Dec. 21, someone broke 30 tire stems on 14 district school buses.

“We’ve got some leads on that,” Putthoff said. “Hopefully before long we’ll have something.”

Erickson said the cost of repairing the bus tires was $949. Of that, $230 would be paid by the district’s insurance carrier. In light of the school district’s already tight budget due to lowered enrollment numbers, Erickson termed this setback as “disappointing.”

Further, Erickson said the school board is trying to increase outside lighting, and is considering adding security cameras to building entrances. The district already has alarm systems in all its major buildings, he added.