enlarge John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Cape Elizabeth High School was closed today after vandals caused damage during the night.

Ten students have confessed to the vandalism incident at Cape Elizabeth High School that forced cancellation of classes for the day. Repairing the damage could cost the school district more than $10,000, police said.

Capt. Brent Sinclair said four of the students showed up at the high school around 8:30 this morning and told police they had only intended to play a prank. The rest of the students arrived later in the morning, and admitted their involvement.

The group included nine boys and one girl, Sinclair said. Most, if not all of the students, were seniors.

“It was intended to be a prank, but certainly there were unintended circumstances,” Sinclair said. “We expended a lot of resources down there today.”

Most of the damage was centered in the library, where the students pulled down ceiling tiles. Students also barricaded classrooms with desks, and smeared peanut butter on doors, windows and walls.

Sinclair said charges were likely to be brought against all the students. They could include burglary, criminal mischief and theft.

Money was taken from some of the classrooms, as well as a digital camera.

Some of the students are 17 years old and will be charged as juveniles, Sinclair said.

Sinclair said the students were in the school for about an hour and a half after midnight. They were able to go undetected by police, who drive around the school at least a couple times a night, because they had parked their cars in a nearby neighborhood and walked to the school, Sinclair said.

Once inside, they kept the lights off and covered up several surveillance cameras with black tape.

"We will have school tomorrow," said Principal Jeff Shedd.

Hawkins said this cancellation date puts the school over its scheduled number of yearly cancellations. Students will make up the lost day this Saturday with classes from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The following is the letter Shedd sent out first thing this morning to parents of Cape Elizabeth High School students.

Dear CEHS Parents:

I am saddened to report that school is cancelled today due to student vandalism. Students will need to make up this missed day in the near future - in all likelihood on a Saturday. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Anyone with information should please come forward. We have a lot of work to do to put school back together. We will be open tomorrow. Thanks.

Jeff Shedd

CEHS Principal