OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – “Enough is enough,” said mother Preshana Reyes at the last Omaha Public Schools board meeting.
A recent shooting at Omaha Northwest High School is prompting parents and school officials alike to find a solution to school violence, and one way parents can express concerns is through public comment at the monthly board meeting.
“My question is why don’t we have metal detectors?” Reyes asked.
OPS board member Bri Full said another way to tackle school safety is through town halls and listening sessions.
“We want to hear about their experiences and the solutions they might offer to keep our schools safe,” said Full.
She told 6 News board president Spencer Head pushed back on the idea of the board sponsoring town halls and listening sessions.
“One of the things I believe pretty strongly is we shouldn’t have board members using these listening sessions to campaign off of, and that’s a recommendation I made eight months ago,” Head said.
Five of the nine seats on the board are up for election including Head’s but not Full’s.
“If our board president is concerned we’re campaigning and using district dollars to campaign, we can do it a day after the election. Okay? We just want to hear from our constituents,” said Full.
The board is conducting its own investigation into the Northwest High shooting. Head said he would want that review to conclude before hosting a town hall. But he is willing to get behind the idea.
“Personally I would like the district to complete our review so we can understand what led up to the incident. How did the individual get the weapon in the school? How did the district respond and put the entire puzzle back together?” said Head.
Full would prefer the board work together on this effort to improve school safety, but she said she’s already enlisted other community leaders like state senator Terrell McKinney to organize input.
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