The 21 Valley Stream North High School students being accused of vandalizing the school last month are due in court for a conference on July 1. Valley Stream Central High School District has also begun an investigation on June 2, the same day the students went back to school.

According to police, 21 teens gathered at Valley Stream North High School, located at 750 Herman Avenue in Franklin Square, on Thursday, May 27 at 2 a.m. and used black tar to paint in excess of 20 windows of the school.

Police also said that the teens sprayed foam insulation in the door locks of the school. According to police, security personnel noticed teens carrying five gallon buckets of tar, which were left at the scene as they fled. The damage is estimated to be in excess of $50,000.

The teens arrested range in age from 17 to 19, both male and female, and are from the communities of North Valley Stream, Malverne, Franklin Square and Elmont with one student from Freeport. They were charged with Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and Conspiracy 5th Degree.

The teens were due in court on Tuesday, June 1 at which time the case was adjourned until July 1, when it is scheduled for conference with Judge Jerald Carter.

The teens were arraigned on Friday, May 28 and were all released in their parents' custody except for a 19-year-old from Malverne who had to pay $750 in bail to be released.

According to Nassau County District Attorney spokesman Rick Hinshaw, none of the teens are juvenile offenders since they are all at least 17-years-old. However, it will be up to the judge whether, after the case, the teens are given youthful offender status.

Although arrested and charged, none of the teens have been convicted of any crime as of yet.

The Valley Stream Central High School District began its formal, independent investigation on Wednesday, June 2. The students were allowed back in school on June 2 but, according to Superintendent of Schools for the Valley Stream Central High School District Dr. Marc Bernstein, they were being segregated in a detention room and not taking their classes with the regular student body.

Dr. Bernstein believes the act was planned as a senior prank but the district is treating it as an act of vandalism. "We are upset and disappointed in the behavior of these students and we do treat it very seriously. The majority of the students [in the senior class at Valley Stream North High School] have been responsible and conducted themselves properly," he said.