When Does A Senior Prank Cross The Line To Serious Vandalism?

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A number of senior pranks in the Sacramento region are going beyond fun and games turning into expensive, destructive violence. So, when is a senior prank more than an end of year celebration?

Here at Hiram Johnson, students we spoke with are disgusted by the damage to on campus. They say it's not a prank and students responsible should be punished.

Students at Hiram Johnson high school arrived on campus to find an unwelcome surprise.

"They painted the classrooms, glued doors shut, took flower pots and threw them on the floor," said district spokesperson Gabe Ross. "It appears to be part of a senior prank."

Last week, Dixon High School's campus was the site of what students say was supposed to be a senior prank

"They chopped down a tree, they spray painted a bunch of bad words on the wall. Everything," said Dixon High School senior Francisco Torres.

According to school administrators, the price tag to clean up the mess is about $70,000.

"They obviously went too far," Torres said.

Students say the principal canceled a Dixon High School dance – and those who've been caught are suspended for two days. They must also work two afternoons cleaning up to remain eligible to walk in upcoming graduation ceremonies.

"I think there should have been worse punishment, to be honest," Torres said.

It's a rite of passage for seniors to pull a senior prank as they bid goodbye, but we asked school officials: When does a school prank cross the line?

"When a prank damages school property or commits a crime or puts students at risk, that's too far," Ross said.

Last year, police arrested two Roseville High School seniors after a fire on the school's football field destroyed the graduation stage. It caused $150,000 in damage.

No one was hurt in any of the recent pranks but, Dixon school administrators say pranks that go too far cost school districts thousands of dollars and jeopardize student and teacher safety. Many students point out the actions of a few reflect poorly on all students.

"I just feel like they're making Dixon look like we're a bad town and don't take care of our school," Torres said.

The police officer who works at Hiram Johnson says there is video tape surveillance and when they are able to identify the students involved there will be arrests.