Some 100 Blaine County School District students opted out of watching President Barack Obama's nationwide speech to students this week.
The president's speech was shown at most the district's eight schools, but the district followed a recommendation of Tom Luna, Idaho superintendent of public instruction, to honor requests from parents who didn't want their children to watch.
In a speech generally considered nonpolitical, the president exhorted America's students to study hard, set goals and accept personal responsibility for their studies.
Wood River High School Principal John Blackman was still tabulating teacher reports on Thursday but estimated that 35-40 students missed the speech. Blackman chose not to show the speech live on Tuesday in order to give parents more time to consider their decisions. Instead, the speech was recorded and shown Wednesday.
Bellevue Elementary School Principal Angie Martinez also delayed showing the speech until Wednesday. The district reported Thursday that 10 Bellevue students opted out.
About 50 students did not see the speech at Wood River Middle School.
The speech wasn't aired at Silver Creek High School, the district's alternative school with 28 students. Principal Lynn Seifert said she didn't have time to get parents' permission for their children to attend and didn't want to air the speech without doing that. She said the speech will be shown in a history class.
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Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum reported that it didn't keep track but was aware of only two students opting out.
Hailey Elementary School had one student who didn't watch.
The district reported that five students opted out at Carey School.
Woodside Elementary School Principal Bradley Henson reported full attendance.
"We all supported our president and listened to his message," Henson said.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
