These kids need to be punished. To some this may seem like a small crime, but if they get away with this, what will they do next.

If they do not already have a record. Pay for damages, plus a hefty fine,2 to 4 weeks public service, a five page report on why they were wrong and that they are sorry.Then If they comply, than wipe the record clean. They will learn, They will learn. But I don't think this is a felony charge.Abusing a person ,animal or rape should be a felony. But not this. Just my opinion. Give them a chance to make up for it.

They should punish them as severly as possible! Todays youth is out of control because everyone gives them a pass and thats the problem. Slap on the hands and no accountability results in spoiled,unruly children and future criminals. These kids need to made examples for future kids. take all thier privileges away...no prom, cant alk at graduation, no school activities,pay restitution, council other youth on peer pressure and responsibility.You really want good,responsibile,care,contributing youth? Then TAKE ACTION NOW!!

This was not a spur of the moment prank, this was a planned activity by a group of young adults that should now deal with the consequences of their actions. Young or not, what they did was a crime. Why give them a pass? Are we going to wait until they feel entitle to do whatever they want, not following the rules and laws? What kind of message does that send to the rest of the children in our community? That it's ok to violate the law without worries of consequences? Criminal record, community work, no graduation and no prom. Time to grow up and start acting like responsible individuals.

I would hate to assume that all the students found at the scene knew the extent of what was going to happen. It's tradition to paint the road in front of the school and it wouldn't be fair to those who went to take part in a traditional prank where punished the same as those who took it too far. I don't think anyone can say what should or should not be done and to whom until all the facts come out.

What some of you people don't understand is that Graffiti is Graffiti no matter where it is put. I live in OAK GROVE Sub-division and we have had to look at this every year for the last 10 years are more. To me this has never been a Prank it is vandalism, these kids choose to participate and spray this type of Graffiti on the road each year and we have to look at each time we leave our Sub-division. As Ana said this was not a spur of the moment Prank this was planned as it is each year, the students know when it is going to be done and these students choose to be there and participate in this. For years I have been Praying that these kids would get caught and be held responsible for their actions and I am so thankful for the passer by who called 911 and alerted the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. I still cannot imagine why the students parents did not know where their Children were at 3:00 to 5:00 early Sunday Morning. Still to some so you this is still just a Prank, well the 21 caught so far would tell you how this Prank has turned their lives and their families life upside down and how its going to cost them finanically and down the road when they apply for college or even a job. They chose to participate in this senselesss action. The thought of getting caught is never in these students mind, well they better change their thinking becase they have now been caught and are being held responsible for their senseless actions.

Steve

WHEN YOU DECIDE TO STAY AND PARTICIPATE THEN YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THE ACTION. SOME ARE SAYING THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING... GIVE US A BREAK.... THEY ALL KNEW AND WAS RUNNING AROUND LIKE CRAZY... ANYONE KNOW IF THEY WHERE DRUNK OR ON DRUGS NOONE HAS SAID THAT...

If you would let a 17 year old roam the streets at 4am your not much of a parent. Kids do some stupid things at that age Mom and Dad should know better.

But Otott says officials have not determined how the students will be punished, or if all involved with face the same punishment. I guess the scholarships and prom queen and kings will get special consideration....not to mention the jocks.

All involved should face the same punishment.

To Tray Oakes....I do know some of these and I am well aware of the scholarships (Suttles) and the homecoming queen but philosophy is you do the crime you do the time. Not turn the other cheek so this can be repeated.

Just because you have a scholarship, homecoming queen and king or jock you should get the same punishment as the other kids. You are telling kids that is they are smart or popular that you do not have to pay for the crime you do.

These kids need to go to church and learn that you have to pay for you actions. Kids don't think they will get caught and if they do their parents will get them out of trouble

I totally agree with Canter. If we allow these seniors to get away with just a "slap on the wrist", what will happen next year or the year after??? They are obviously lacking in first, self respect and total disregard for others and their property. Who is responsible for that.... where were these kids parents when they were growing up????

Associate Superintendent Brian Otott - “At this point, I think the investigation’s still too fresh to really say that we would blanket everybody with one punishment.

The groundwork is being laid

I suggest 6 months (26 weekends) community service consisting of...
Check into the county jail at 6pm each Friday.
No dinner served. Eat before you arrive.
Serve washing county cars till 11pm.
Serve on a chain gang picking up trash from 7am till dark Saturdays and Sundays.
Be released from jail at 5am each Monday morning.
No excused days off. Triple hours accessed for each occurance of late arrivals, unexcused no shows, poor performance or bad attitude.

In none of the time of meeting, deciding to wear black, going and buying spray paint, driving to location, getting out of car, getting paint out of car, didn't any of them think for one second...this might not be a good idea... that is so hard to comprehend given their ages...I thought about what was right and what was wrong at that age...and would have never decided that something like this would have been fun or ok!!!

People need to quit Judging! Think of the stupid and dumb acts that you did when you were kid!!!!!!!

Cara you need to shut up and grow up...they committed a crime and they must pay no exceptions. They will think twice before doing anything illegal, furthermore you should be more upset that they were not as smart as you and stayed home. You are young and it shows in your comments, be smart and do not break the law no matter how it trivial it may seem to you.

I am sorry but I am VERY UPSET with these teens!!! No I am not from nor do I live in the East Paulding School area but my parents DO!!!! My dad Called me today to show me what had been done to the school and TO HIS NEIGHBORHOOD and SIGNS that HE HELPS TAKE CARE OF!!!! My dad takes time out of his life to cut the grass around the neighborhood signs, plant flowers, clean trash people throw out their car windows!!!! And to know that some of these PARENTS of this KIDS KNEW what they were up to.......OK LET'S GO TO THEIR NEW HOUSES AND SPRAY PAINT STUFF ON THEIR PROPERTY. Something that THEY HAVE PAID MONEY FOR AND I WOULD HOPE HAVE TAKEN PRIDE IN TAKEN CARE OF THEIR HOUSE, NEIGHBORHOOD, OR SIGNS TO THE ENTERANCE OF THE SUBDIVISIONS. My dad was one of the people that the new depts did interviews his name is Steve Hodge. And yes I feel THE PARENTS just as just as the kids should be held accountable!!!! I know my dad and he all ways KNEW where I was when I was a teenager and that I was brought up to RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY!!!!

If you're a resident of the subdivision tagged by graffiti, or have lived in the area long enough to see several "senior pranks" throughout the years, we want to talk to you. Email Editor Jon Gargis at jon.gargis@patch.com.