Friday morning saw a major power outage sweep through Caldwell and surrounding communities, prompting the Vallivue School District to close three of its schools for the day. The outage, caused by damaged power lines, left Vallivue High School, Vallivue Middle School and Falcon Ridge Elementary without electricity, forcing administrators to suspend classes and keep students safe at home.
District response and next steps
Superintendent John Doe (name illustrative) issued a statement confirming that the three schools would remain closed for the remainder of Friday, Oct. 23. “Student safety is our top priority,” the district said, adding that staff are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as power is restored.
All other schools in the Vallivue district, including elementary and middle schools not listed above, will continue operating on their normal schedules. The district also noted that it will share information later in the day regarding any changes to scheduled athletic events and extracurricular activities that were planned for Friday.
Restoration efforts by Idaho Power
Idaho Power confirmed that crews are on the scene working to repair the damaged lines. The utility company urged residents to stay informed by visiting its website, where real‑time outage maps and estimated restoration times are posted. “We understand the inconvenience this causes families and schools,” a spokesperson said, “and we are committed to restoring service as quickly and safely as possible.”
Impact on families and community
Parents in the Caldwell area were asked to make alternative childcare arrangements for the day. Local churches and community centers have offered temporary shelter and activities for younger children while power is restored. The district encouraged families to check the school district’s social‑media channels for any further announcements.
Residents can also follow updates on the Idaho Power outage page and the Vallivue School District’s official website. The district thanked the community for its patience and cooperation during the unexpected disruption.
Looking ahead
While the immediate focus remains on restoring electricity and resuming normal school operations, the outage highlights the importance of infrastructure resilience in the region. Local officials have previously discussed the need for upgraded power lines and backup systems to mitigate future disruptions, especially during extreme weather events.
For now, the priority is to get power back on, ensure classrooms are safe for students, and keep families informed. The district will issue a follow‑up notice on Monday regarding any missed instructional time and plans for makeup sessions.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.
