Board members work on safety at Omaha Public Schools

OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – “Enough is enough,” said parent Preshana Reyes at the latest Omaha Public Schools board meeting.

A recent shooting at Omaha Northwest High School has parents and school officials alike scrambling to find a solution to the problem of school violence. One way for parents to voice their concerns is through public comment at the monthly board meeting.

“My question is, why don’t we have metal detectors?” asked Reyes.

OPS board member Bri Full said another way to improve school safety is through town hall meetings and hearings.

“We want to hear about their experiences and the solutions they offer to keep our schools safe,” Full said.

She told 6 News that board chairman Spencer Head rejected the idea of ​​the board sponsoring town hall meetings and hearings.

“I firmly believe that we should not allow board members to abuse these hearings for their election campaigns. I made that recommendation eight months ago,” Head said.

Five of the nine seats on the Board of Directors are up for election, including the Chairman, but not the full member.

“If our board chairman has concerns about us campaigning and using district funds, we can do that the day after the election. OK? We just want to hear from our constituents,” Full said.

The committee is currently conducting its own investigation into the Northwest High School shooting. Head said he wants to complete that investigation before calling a town hall meeting. But he is willing to support the idea.

“Personally, I want the district to complete its investigation so we understand what led up to the incident. How did the person get the gun at school? How did the district respond and put the whole puzzle back together?” Head said.

Full would prefer the board to collaborate on this effort to improve school safety, but said she has already enlisted other community leaders, such as State Senator Terrell McKinney, to organize input.

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