whatever ill feelings might have been stirring,” Lynn said.

whatever ill feelings might have been stirring,” Lynn said.

“It was a nice gesture,” said Chappell.

Then, on Oct. 12, three flags from in front of the school were removed from their poles and two were stolen, as were the road direction signs. One flag was left behind. Also, vandals tore off a poster-board, makeshift sign nailed to painted plywood. It was that same night Lynn observed a blue car on the premises and chased it until police intervened.

The school is offering a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved.

Lynn guessed at the motives for the attack.

He said he believed that there “has been, always been a sort of resentment” within the community toward the private school.

He suspected the resentment spawned at the public school for what they perceived as a “deficiency” in academics that students felt that “had to make up” on the athletic field.

Or, Lynn said, the acts may simply be carried out by idle teenagers.

“We’re concerned this has gone beyond the prank stage,” Lynn said.

He admits the damage to school property has not been great but said: “I don’t know what’s next.”

Also, he said he “hates the prospect (of replacing the sign only to see it) going to be tom down again.”

He reiterated that a decision to sever ties for next year has not been made.

“We are not accusing Rappahannock High School students of any improper conduct,” according to Lynn. “But if our athletic competition is inciting someone in the county to commit grand larceny, then our competition is definitely not worth the trouble it is creating.”