Vandals struck Rio Rancho Public Schools' 100-bus fleet, letting the air out of one or both front tires on about 70 buses at two different sites, Rio Rancho police spokesman John Francis told ABQjournal.com.

The vandalism was discovered around 5:30 this morning at the Durham Bus Company yard at Idalia and Abrazo and at an overflow parking yard about 2 miles away at Eagle Ridge Middle School, and both sites were being treated as crime scenes, Francis told us.

"We've had vandalism of school buses before, but nothing of this magnitude," Francis said.

The tires did not appear to be slashed, but the valve stems had been removed on one or both of the front tires of the vandalized buses, Francis told us. 

There were no notes or phone calls to explain this morning's incident, but Rio Rancho police continue to investigate, along with the school district's bus provider and transportation personnel, schools spokeswoman Kim Vesely told ABQjournal.com.

Only the high school and Rio Rancho mid-high were effected, with the district's elementary and middle schools off for in-service training, Vesely said.

And while classes were held as usual, many of the estimated 4,000 students affected were expected to show up late for class, Vesely told us.

The district used its telephone notification system to alert parents about the problem, and many parents drove their children to school, she said. 

Today was the first day back at class since last Thursday for high school and mid-high students, Vesely said. 

Bus services is expected to be restored in time for the ride home this afternoon, she said. 

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