Governor Otter talks school safety in Rexburg

Idaho’s “Capital for a Day” program brought Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to Madison County Friday .

This gave people in Rexburg a chance to discuss government issues with Otter and other state leaders.

Topics like internet sales tax and water conservation were brought up, but perhaps one of the most important was school security.

“I’ve heard lots of things, like a special taskforce being put together to even more concerning things, like teachers being allowed to have guns in the classroom,” said Dana Kirkham,

Otter says he shares the same concerns most parents have, but there are no definite answers just yet.

The state’s school security taskforce is wrapping up its first assessment and will present it to Governor Otter soon.

“Any kind of caution we can have — are we going fast enough? Probably not. But we’re going as fast as we can and rather than react, be proactive,” said Otter.

Guy Bliesner, former security coordinator for Bonneville School District 93 is part of that taskforce. He says the group is trying to come up with a plan that fits urban and rural schools and no district will be ignored.

“How do we translate that to on the ground? How does it change in Firth, Sugar Salem, Ashton, Dubois? How do we change it at the school level?” said Bliesner.

Otter said once the taskforce has its final report, it will be available to the state department of education and school boards.

However, security plans for each district will not be public record.