On Sept. 23, 2024, Boise School District held a special board meeting to discuss the recent social media threats many schools in the Treasure Valley experienced in the past few weeks.
The Boise Police Department detained a student after they discovered that the individual was creating threatening social media posts that targeted both Capital High School and Fairmont Junior High.
Orlando Saucedo Martinez, a sophomore at Mountain View High School explained that his school received a threat via social media that turned out to be targeting a Mountain View High School in California. Martinez noted that social media allows false information to spread quickly and can cause a sense of uneasiness for students.
“With how big social media is within our school and today’s age in general — it kind of is quick to spread,” Martinez said. “Especially since they recently added high school Snapchat stories. It spreads pretty quickly, and it makes students worry a lot quicker, and it may spread misinformation, because one of the recent threats turned out to be from a whole different Mountain View in California.”
One safety measure Martinez noted was the addition of doors with required student ID scanners which were implemented before he attended Mountain View High. However, Martinez stated that he doesn’t think these measures are enough.
“Since what you’re seeing is … most of the shooters that target these schools typically are students that attend them,” Martinez said. “Obviously, if it’s just a school ID, they’re gonna have it, they’re going to be able to get it.”
Most classrooms in Boise Schools and West Ada have some form of a cell phone ban or restriction. Martinez said his school was more lenient his freshman year [2023] but has “amped it up” this school year.
“When I first heard about the news that you could be punished for not powering off your phone — it’s kind of weird because if something’s happening, you can’t communicate to people,” Martinez said. “Say your possible goodbyes to your loved ones, and, more importantly, calling authorities like something’s happening, to get authorities there as quick as possible. That was one of my first thoughts on the first day when I first heard about the new rule change.”
Dan Hollar, the Public Affairs Administrator for the Boise School District shared that the decision to limit cell phone use in classrooms was influenced by survey results from parents and staff.
Hollar described the district’s security measures as “comprehensive” and detailed multiple safety procedures.
“We understand that part of the issue is making sure like you mentioned, you have a number of items, for example, single access points for schools which we have, we have a raptor system which checks the background of individuals who are accessing our schools,” Hollar said. “There’s a myriad of physical things and procedures that we can do.”
While Hollar highlighted the importance of physical safety measures, he acknowledged the need for mental health resources for students.
“Part of the issue too, is making sure — and this is an equally important initiative, the student mental health and support that our students and our staff need to make sure that they are feeling supported,” Hollar said. “We want and we’re committed to making sure that each and every student feels like there is a place for them within the Boise school system, that they feel like they belong, that they have the support they need, and that we all support [one] another.”
When asked what Hollar would say to students who are feeling a sense of uneasiness amidst these threats, he explained that documentation is key.
“This is another part of our campaign. If you see something, say something — call 208-343 COPS, advocate for your school,” Hollar said. “Advocate for the safety of your school system, and together, we’ll all be safer because of that. It’s a commitment that we have to make sure that our schools remain safe and secure and that students feel they can learn in a safe and secure environment, because that’s what it’s all about.”
The presentation on Monday Sept. 23, 2024, featured a slideshow presentation that outlined the district’s goals regarding student safety, as well as building security and threat assessment processes.
The presentation detailed the following safety measures: The locking of exterior or perimeter doors, the locking of internal doors by staff and faculty, the implementation of additional access control systems and cameras in exterior and high-frequency areas.
Additionally, the Raptor Technologies system provides background checks on visitors to the school.
In a written statement shared via email by Dan Hollar, The Boise School District expressed that it “takes the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community very seriously. Like many districts across the nation, we have been dealing with unsubstantiated social media threats. We are working closely with local law enforcement to address and investigate each situation thoroughly.”
Boise and West Ada School Districts will continue to address and respond to potential and current threats as they arise.
