Described as "an act of vandalism," the American and Florida flags were removed overnight and replaced with the Confederate Battle flags at two of Gaineville's high schools.
The flags, discovered this morning at Buchholz and Gainesville high schools, were quickly removed once the school day started.
Alachua County schools spokeswoman Jackie Johnson confirmed the main flag pole at Buchholz and a side flag pole outside the ROTC room at Gainesville High were targeted by the vandals. She said the flags were rigged "in such a way that the person had to go up on ladders to get the flag down."
Johnson said the incident is being investigated, including examination of video from the areas. She said the Alachua County Sheriff's office is investigating the incident at Buchholz and Gainesville Police Department is responsible for the investigation at Gainesville High.
"We don't have any suspect information at this point, and the GPD school resource division is going to be looking into the incident," said GPD spokesman Ben Tobias.
The battle flag has been in the news a great deal in the last few months, including controversy facing tomorrow's event at the Gettysburg National Military Park where the National Parks Service issued a permit for what is being described as the inaugural Confederate Flag Day.