Pipes frozen in Skyline High vandalism

Vandalism at Skyline High School over the weekend cost thousands of dollars in damage – and it was done by shutting off an electrical breaker.

The vandal or vandals broke into the school on Blue Sky Drive sometime between Friday night and Sunday evening and shut off the breaker. This caused the pipes in the school’s heating system to freeze, Idaho Falls police said.

Sgt. Phil Grimes said crimes, such as vandalism are high around this time of year.

“People put out nativity scenes and Christmas lights and just the usual Christmas type things that you would see out this time of year. Those are the types of things that are being vandalized, unfortunately,” he said.

School maintenance crews became aware of the issue late Sunday night and notified police. They are still working to thaw the pipes and assess the damage to the heating system.

The director of operations for School District 91, Kevin Klinger, said the people responsible will never understand what trouble their actions have caused.

“It’s really hard to help the public understand, especially the kids, just how complicated the heating and cooling system are in a building this size and what significant damage can stem from the prank they pulled,” said Klinger.

The exact cost has not been determined, police said.

Anyone with information regarding this vandalism is asked to contact police at (208) 529-1200 or Crimestoppers at 522-1983.