!["When this [a threat] happens, we know we have precautions already in place. We don't panic, we want to keep the environment as nurturing as possible for students."](https://media.krem.com/assets/KREM/images/7753efa9-25ea-4598-b3cd-6a705cb67fa0/7753efa9-25ea-4598-b3cd-6a705cb67fa0_1920x1080.jpg)
MOSCOW, Idaho—A threat that circulated on social media against two Moscow schools had nearly one-sixth of Moscow School District students absent from class Wednesday.
Reports said 26-year-old Michael Mastro had allegedly said he was going to “shoot up” two schools in their district on April 18.
MSD Superintendent Greg Bailey said there were 379 K-12 students absent Wednesday, April 18.
Bailey said the average number of absent students was around 70 to 90.
Police were at the Moscow public schools yesterday but mainly just to show parents the kids were safe, since the man who made the threat was arrested, according to Bailey.
"We have precautions in place already due to all the shootings in recent years. When this [a threat] happens, we know we have precautions already in place. We don’t panic, we want to keep the environment as nurturing as possible for students,” said Bailey.
Bailey said the school day was treated like a snow day and parents had the right to keep their students home.
“It’s my decision to decide if school is open, but as a parent, it is their right to decide if their child should go to school," said Bailey.
Bailey said he was only speaking on behalf of the Moscow Public Schools.