About one-third of the students at Homedale High School either didn't come to school or were taken out early by parents Thursday, according to Homedale schools superintendent Rob Sauer.

Parents and students were concerned about safety at the school after widespread rumors of a student accused of making a "hit list" coming to the school and possibly being violent, Sauer said. Homedale Police Chief Jeff Eidemiller did not return a call seeking comment.

The schools superintendent said the teenage suspect — described only as a male upperclassman — was suspended last week and is now in police custody. A pair of police officers are at the campus to help calm fears.

Eidemiller told the Idaho Press-Tribune a teen is being held on 15 charges stemming from alleged threats.

A student at the school was suspended last Thursday, after school officials investigated a rumor about a hit list. He was initially suspended for five days, and the superintendent added another 10 days.

A copy of the list — written on paper — was obtained with the words "hit list" and the names of as many as 15 students, Sauer said. The superintendent declined to discuss specific threats made on the hit list.

School officials notified police on Thursday, and an e-mail about the situation was sent to parents on Saturday. There were additional phone calls and meetings Monday with parents of children named on the hit list, Sauer said.

Police went to the teen's home, but the superintendent did not know what they determined about the boy's ability to carry out whatever threats he made. Eidemiller told the Press-Tribune obtained information that indicated the student had planned to carry out the threats.

Rumors about the boy possibly coming to the school campus gained steam Wednesday and Thursday morning. Sauer said classes will resume as normal on Friday.

The superintendent declined to discuss if the accused student has been in trouble at the school in the past or has a criminal history.

In April, a student at East Junior High School was suspended for creating a hit list. The boy had threatened violence against 70 students and 10 others, including some celebrities.

Police went to the boy's house and determined he did not have the means to carry out the threats.

Katy Moeller: 377-6413