VIENNA - Officials with the Wood County Schools are asking residents to be on the lookout for vandals tampering with school flags.
The American flag in front of Vienna Elementary School was found flying upside down at dismissal time on Wednesday and officials say it was no accident.
Traditionally, a flag flying upside down is a sign of distress.
"Something or someone has tampered with the flag," said Sue Woodward, assistant superintendent of school services. "It was not human error by a Wood County employee."
Woodward said they were unsure when the flag was taken down and turned upside down on Wednesday because the school was not made aware until around 2:30 p.m.
"There was a whole day of activities and people in and out of Vienna School," she said. "Why did no one mention it until the end of the day? It was only at dismissal time at 2:30 that it was brought to our attention."
A similar report came in about the American flag at Neale Elementary School, Woodward said, leading officials to believe the incidents could be related.
Woodward said officials are taking the incidents seriously.
"The school is upset by it. We don't think it is funny either," she said.
Woodward said officials at all Vienna schools have been contacted and asked to watch their flags for vandalism. The school system is also asking the public's help in making sure the incidents are not repeated.
Throughout the day Thursday the flags flew correctly, but Woodward said officials are still on the lookout.
"We give students jobs to do at the school," she said. "We may very well be adding some flag-watchers to the list."
