So far, weapons have not been a problem in local schools. According to the Blaine County Probation Department, no weapons charges were filed against juvenile offenders in 1997 or 1998. Charges of battery, however, slightly increased in 1997 to 12 incidents. Already 10 charges of battery, an assault that does not involve a weapon, have been filed in 1998. Despite the atmosphere of safety, every classroom in the Wood River Valley has a telephone except Hemingway Elementary School.
Plans are in place to install phones soon.
Local teachers are kept abreast of violent happenings in nearby schools through e-mail, Homer said, and watch for suspicious behavior in their own classrooms. The school district also cooperates with Hailey Police Officer Rob Namer, a resource officer working in the county's secondary schools. Namer works with students involved in high-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse or violence. Local police personnel are trained to respond to hostage situations, although not specifically at a school. The more time we have, the better, so we give them anything and everything they want.