Police believe a group of up to three people may be responsible for the burglary and vandalism of Wanaka Primary School, and a local business has offered a reward of $1000 to help catch the culprits.
Wanaka accountancy firm Findlay and Co has put up the reward for any information which leads to the conviction of the offenders, who stole a laptop computer and went on a rampage through two classrooms at the school on Saturday night.
Wayne Findlay said the $1000 "was a start" and he hoped other business would contribute.
Police estimate it could take about three weeks before the results of forensic testing are released.
Senior Constable Dave George, an Alexandra-based forensics officer, said a substantial amount of evidence was left imprinted in paint which thieves used to vandalise the classrooms.
The evidence was being sent to a forensics laboratory in Christchurch.
Const George said the burglary and the extent of vandalism was far worse than anything he had previously seen "schoolwise, around Central Otago".
Principal Wendy Bamford said commercial cleaners had worked until 6pm on Monday to get the classrooms fit for pupils.
