Concord Community Schools

Concord Community Schools, 405 S Main St., Concord. (MLive.com files)

(MLive)

CONCORD, MI - Before they even got started, classes were canceled in Concord Community Schools on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

The action comes on the heels of school administrators discovering the district's buses had been sabotaged overnight, according to Concord Community Schools Superintendent Dan Funston.

Vandals, Funston said, let the air out of several tires on 10 of the district's buses, making a significant portion of the bus fleet inoperable.

The discovery was made by school employees at about 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, Funston said. The tires were drained down to a point where there were off the rims, and there wasn't time to get them pumped up again before the start of the school day, he said.

"It's awfully disappointing to see this happen," Funston said. "A lot of kids were excited to come in for the first day of school after last night's open house."

A majority of students attending Concord schools rely on the bus to get them there, Funston said.

Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office currently are at the school investigating the incident and will work closely with the district to identify the individuals responsible, Undersheriff Christopher Kuhl said.

Anyone who may have observed vehicles or individuals near the bus area late Tuesday night or early Wednesday are urged to contact detectives at 517-768-7931 or 517-768-7934.

The first day of school for Concord students now is a full day of classes on Thursday Aug. 25. Teachers and staff are still reported for duty on Wednesday.