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Student board representatives tell Selah board half of surveyed high-school students feel unsafe
Summary
Two student board representatives reported that an informal survey of about 30 students at the district high school found roughly half feel unsafe; students raised concerns about unlocked doors, past security incidents and the 'Stop It' reporting app, and recommended check-in procedures and a student safety council.
Claire (student board representative) and Charlie (student board representative) told the Selah School District board that an informal survey they conducted of about 30 classmates at the high school found roughly 50% of respondents said they felt safe and 50% said they did not.
The students said many peers doubted that administrators would hear or act on reports of threats. They cited past incidents that alarmed students, including a bomb threat a few years ago and a later event that involved a firearm; the students said those events and routine campus access concerns have left many feeling uncertain about safety. "Almost every single student said that they did not feel that their concerns would be heard by administration," Claire said.
Students described physical security gaps they see daily: unlocked main doors during passing periods, easy exit-and-reentry for students leaving campus for lunch or other reasons, and access through a back parking lot. Charlie said portable classrooms and unlocked doors make it easy for someone to enter the building without passing through the office.
Both students criticized the district's anonymous reporting app, Stop It, saying peers treat it as a joke and that students who use it can be mocked. Claire and Charlie told the board some students want an alternative reporting option that feels more private and human, such as a designated staff member they can approach during the school day.
Suggested remedies included instituting a stricter check-in/check-out procedure for students leaving campus during the day and forming a student safety council that would meet periodically to gather and elevate ongoing safety concerns. Students also recommended running a more comprehensive, districtwide student survey rather than the informal 30-person sample.
Superintendent Kevin acknowledged the concerns and noted the district is layering multiple protective measures where feasible, balancing physical constraints in older buildings with staffing and operational realities. Kevin and staff invited students to bring concrete suggestions and supported the idea of more student voice in safety planning.
The board did not take formal action during the meeting on these recommendations; safety was flagged for continued work and further discussion in upcoming sessions and community forums.
