The Dothan Brook Elementary School was defaced by vandals in Hartford, Vt., on October 18, 2016. (Courtesy Hartford Police)

Wilder — Some graffiti on the outside of an elementary school that references Donald Trump and the Ku Klux Klan has led Hartford Police to seek information from the public about who may be responsible.

Black spraypaint was used to deface the outside of Dothan Brook School between 8 p.m. Monday night and 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to a news release from the Hartford Police Department.

The graffiti, which reads “AmeriK.K.K.ans for Trump!,” led to more than 50 comments expressing disappointment and outrage on the police department’s Facebook page within a few hours.

“We all work so hard to keep our schools looking great. ... It was a very sad way to begin the school day today,” said Tom Debalsi, superintendent of the Hartford School District.

DeBalsi said the maintenance staff immediately washed the wall Tuesday morning, and was pressure-washing the spot in the afternoon in an effort to make the words illegible.

The police news release, citing an active investigation into the incident, asks those with information to call Officer Aleya Leombruno at 802-295-9425.

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.