BOISE, Idaho — Following the arrest of a teacher from Fairmont Junior High School on Monday, we've begun hearing from parents who are now choosing to pull their students from the school due to safety concerns.
Idaho News 6 has also learned new information about the arrest of Boise teacher Eric McDermott. Detectives now tell us the alleged crime involved one victim in 2020, and their follow-up and investigation led to McDermott's arrest this week.
"They are not doing what they are supposed to be doing to keep our children safe," said Amanda Baldi, parent of a student at Fairmont Jr. High School.
Now parents from Fairmont Jr. High are speaking out, worried about safety, and are pulling the kids before the semester ends.
"I do not feel safe sending my child there, so I need to figure out what I need to do so she can take her finals and go to high school," said Rosemary Garrett, parent of a student at Fairmont Jr. High School.
The parents say the decision to pull their kids out was not made solely due to McDermott's arrest, but numerous incidents they say the school has mishandled.
"It's been a whole mixture of things, not being done, and not it's gone to the point that somebody got raped, " said Rosemary Garrett.
Parents we spoke to are now considering home-schooling their kids, saying that's the only way they will know they are safe.
When the story was first reported Monday, the Boise School District made this statement, “We understand that this news will raise concerns about student safety and we want to assure our families that the District is fully cooperating with law enforcement and prosecutors as they investigate this matter.”
Idaho News 6 reached out to the district for additional comment Wednesday, but we have not yet heard back.
In the meantime, BSD has said it will have support services available at Fairmont Junior High School for any students or staff members who need assistance.
