PALM VALLEY, Fla. -- Graffiti painted on buildings and the football stadium at Nease High School overnight will cost nearly a year's salary for a teacher to clean up, the principal told students Thursday during morning announcements.

Vandals Spray-Paint Walls, Lockers, Stadium At Nease

“In a time when every school district is searching for funds to pay teachers for next year, it’s really unfortunate for every resident in St. Johns County,” said Nease Principal Dr. Linda Thomson.

Channel 4's Laura Mazzeo said that dozens of walls and other surfaces were spray-painted with stick-figure drawings and various obnoxious sayings.

“I was shocked, especially with all the vulgar things I saw. It was pretty upsetting,” said one Nease student.

The vandalism was made to look like the graffiti was left by supporters of Bartram Trail High School, a rival of Nease.

Despite the writings on the wall, investigators said the vandalism might have nothing to do with Bartram students.

“Just because there’s the Bartram Trail insignias all over the school does not necessarily mean it was a Bartram student. It could have been a Nease student. It could have been a St. Augustine student. It could have been anybody,” said St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Andy Thornton.

A review of surveillance video showed three vandals on campus between midnight and 2 a.m., but their faces were covered with what appeared to be bandanas.

St. Johns County sheriff's deputies and school administrators were at the school investigating the damage.

Because the damage exceeds $1,000, the vandalism is considered a felony.

Nease's principal urged students not to retaliate.

The principal at Bartram Trail High School told Channel 4 that school officials there are conducting an investigation of the matter.

Maintenance officials charged with cleaning up the graffiti were consulting with specialists about how to remove paint applied to the brick walls of the school's courtyard.

Anyone with any information concerning the identities of the vandals is asked to contact Thornton at 904-819-8329. Informants can also remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers 888-277-TIPS.