Police: Vandals burn pride flag at Prosper Valley School

POMFRET — A pride flag that was being flown from the flagpole at Prosper Valley School in Pomfret was taken down and set on fire in the early morning hours of Sunday morning, police reported.

Police said they received a report on Monday morning that a pride flag had been vandalized on school grounds, according to a news release from Vermont State Police.

Troopers from the Royalton barracks responded. “Evidence located at the scene revealed on (that on Sunday at about 1:00 a.m.) two individuals had entered the school grounds, removed the flag, and burned the flag on the pavement near the school,” the news release said.

VSP said “surveillance video of the incident exists” and on Tuesday reported to the incident to the state’s Attorney General’s Bias Incident Coordinator.

“We condemn this crime. Hateful acts compromise the safety of everyone. We are committed to ensuring all members of our community feel welcome and respected in our schools,” Keri Bristow, chair of the Mountain Views School Board, posted on Pomfret’s town Listserve on Wednesday morning. “As The Prosper Valley School staff and students come to terms with this maliciousness, let us come together to reaffirm the dignity and value of every human being.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Trooper Colin Connery at the Royalton barracks at 802-234-9933 or submit an anonymous tip through the link on VSP’s website.