POST FALLS — Post Falls School District trustees have weighed in on a student walkout they said a group of parents planned for Tuesday in response to a recent disciplinary action taken by the board.

The Post Falls Police Department confirmed Friday that student-athletes on the Post Falls High School football team were investigated after a "concerning photograph" believed to have been taken on Post Falls School District property was brought to the department's attention Sept. 4.

Board members noted that most actions taken by the board pass with little controversy in the community, such as the approval of the annual milk contract. 

"There are, however, some decisions we make that are highly consequential and emotionally charged. Student discipline falls into this category. Under Idaho law, school boards serve in a quasi-judicial role when making disciplinary decisions, and school boards only get involved in the most egregious disciplinary matters," the release reads. "Idaho law dictates school boards are the only ones authorized to issue long-term suspensions and expulsions."

Police determined no laws were broken and no criminal charges have been filed against the students.

Deputy Superintendent Anna Wilson said the student-athletes were in violation of PFSD Board Policy 504.12, which deals with "Weapons Prohibited on School Property."

"It is prohibited for any student to threaten by word or act to use a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon to do violence to any other person on school grounds," the policy reads in part.

The board's statement noted that if students bring a weapon on school grounds, including simulated weapons, this action automatically results in a one-year expulsion. 

"As of today, no students have been expelled from the Post Falls School District since the start of this school year," the release reads.

According to district policy, the board discretion to deviate from the automatic expulsion on a case-by-case basis when the board finds the student’s presence is not detrimental to the safety of other students.

"We know the Post Falls community has questions about the recent disciplinary action taken by the board. Please know we do hear you, but by federal law, we cannot share specifics about disciplinary matters involving students," the release said.

When the board decides to deviate from an automatic expulsion, the board decides on actions to take through a private hearing where school administration presents the matter to the board and the involved student and their parents are given the same opportunity to present evidence. 

Families are able to have an attorney represent them and question witnesses. 

The Post Falls superintendent does not recommend disciplinary action to the board. No school employee, including the superintendent, has any say in disciplinary decisions made by the board. 

"The buck stops with the board," the board said, calling student-athletes "role models in our community."

The board applies the mantra “character counts” to student actions and noted that under Idaho state law, participation in athletics is a privilege and not a right. 

"If an athlete does something that goes against our standards for athletes, we are obligated take action," the release reads.

Trustees urged parents of Post Falls High School students to ask the organizers of the skip day to be transparent about the reason they want students to skip school. 

"The board cannot share the facts of the matter with the community, but the parents involved are welcome to share with you the entire case file, including the photo in question," the board's statement said.