After delay, new North Omaha all-girls school gets OK from Nebraska Board of Education

OMAHA, Neb. —

Following a contentious delay last week, the Nebraska Board of Education unanimously approved Identity Prep Academy, an all-girls middle school, on Tuesday.

The decision came after 90 minutes of public comments from supporters of the school.

“If they meet the requirements, why are we going through this game of jumping hoops?” Rev. Portia Cavitt of Clair Memorial United Methodist Church. Lacey Lamar said. “There’s nothing more unamerican than having to fight to open this school.”

The school’s founder and CEO, Dr. DerNicia Phillips, said she felt “relieved” after the vote.

She told the board last Friday’s vote to delay had consequences.

“We have had families that are worried,” she said. “They didn’t understand what was going on. Some have decided not to attend.”

On Monday, some board members visited the school, including Kirk Penner, who had objected to language on the school’s website referencing an “abolitionist framework.”

Phillips told the board they were referring to “abolishing the school-to-prison pipeline by cultivating joyful learning spaces for the girls that will be under our care.”

Penner expressed his support for the school after the visit and discussion.

“I am such a believer that I have sent a check to help support their mission,” he said.

Penner thanked two board members who typically do not vote with the Republicans for voting to delay last Friday. He said the school would have been voted down if not for the delay. That vote was 6-2.

Board Member Liz Renner, the only member of the board who attended Tuesday’s meeting in person, said she didn’t agree with the objection, but she viewed Friday’s options as “delay” or “no.”

Penner said he “would like to request Board Member (Deborah) Neary stop the (expletive).”

He took issue with a Facebook post. “Over the weekend, Miss Neary accused the four conservative board members of being racist,” he said. He quoted Neary as saying, “They have no clue that that have done something racist and inappropriate. Or — maybe they do?”

Board members debated whether Tuesday’s meeting was necessary.

Neary accused Republicans on the board of withholding any objections at committee meetings, instead bringing up concerns at board meetings moments before the vote.

“They seem to find some success, or what they feel is success, with these surprise attacks,” she said.

Board member Lisa Schonhoff attributed the delay, in part, to the school missing a May 1 deadline, a claim Phillips disputed. A school representative showed KETV a screenshot that appeared to show the application was submitted on May 1.

Identity Prep Academy plans to begin classes next Wednesday.