2 teachers arrested for vandalizing sidewalk

Two Vermont teachers are accused of drawing on a new concrete sidewalk, causing about $1,500 in damage.

Police say the foreman of the project told 29-year-old Abigail Howard and 35-year-old Jennifer Rist to stay away from the wet concrete on Windsor’s Main Street. But police said they returned to draw what looked like a rat with the initials “J.R.”

Both were charged with unlawful mischief on Sept. 28 and are scheduled to appear in court in December.

WCAX-TV reports that the teachers work at Foundations Upper Valley, a school for students with special needs in Windsor.

The station reports Howard commented on the WCAX Facebook page, saying the drawing was supposed to be a dinosaur, something to engage her students during walks. She wrote, “In retrospect it was pretty stupid, but I didn’t realize I would be hurting anyone.”

The Windsor police chief says new sidewalks and rock walls are being constructed along Main Street as part of a beautification project.

“It is disheartening to find that persons who work in town would vandalize a project which is intended to improve the town,” said Police Chief William Sampson.

The school sent a letter to parents, guardians and community members saying it does not condone the two women’s actions and has implemented a professional improvement plan to prevent a future similar occurrence.

Howard and Rist have written letters of apology to the town, will be participating in community service and paying a fine, the letter said.

“They are very remorseful and apologize for any negative impressions this may have made on the public about out school,” the statement said.

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