Fremont families raise concerns after student-led protest incident, update from the school

Kids told their families that some students were making posters for the demonstration during school hours.

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The Fremont School Board said it knew about a student-led demonstration that left one girl hurt, days before it happened. The board of education shared new updates on the protest at its board meeting tonight.Kids told their families that some students were making posters for the demonstration during school hours. Parents call it disruptive and a “complete failure on every level.” “It appears we need less poster making and more education,” concerned grandparent Lana Calvert said.Families went before the board Monday night with blown-up photos of the anti-ICE protest, Calvert saying, “I would view that as a failure.”They shared their frustration with the Fremont Public Schools’ Board of Education.“Now, we’re bending the rules of what the student handbook says to allow these students their chance to go out in protest on something that most of them don’t even understand what they’re protesting,” Fremont parent Kiley Meyer said.The board’s vice president, Terry Sorensen, was happy with the turnout.“I certainly appreciate folks coming in and expressing their opinions, their beliefs. I wish they’d come more often,” he said while also praising school staff.“I think admin and teachers were well prepared. I think they did their job. We followed the rules,” Sorensen said.In his opening statement, Superintendent Dr. Brad Dahl said the school was aware of the protest three days before. “In response, the administration notified the police department to assist with public safety,” Dahl said.Family who drove by the protest, and who were present at the meeting, said, “We actually drove by there a couple times and did not see any police in front of the school.”One Fremont man, Audie Calvert, said he’s frustrated with how residents’ taxes are being used.“There are a lot of others out there who believe, as I do, that this is not what we are paying for,” Calvert said.Kiley Meyer said this could’ve been prevented.“Had we known about this in advance, we could have aided in discussing that with our children,” Meyer said. Sorensen said the board intends to discuss the incident with Dahl. “I have no doubt after thinking about this for a while, board members will be calling Dr. Dahl and discussing with him, running some other ideas by him and seeing where it all goes,” Sorensen said.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

FREMONT, Neb. —

The Fremont School Board said it knew about a student-led demonstration that left one girl hurt, days before it happened.

The board of education shared new updates on the protest at its board meeting tonight.

Kids told their families that some students were making posters for the demonstration during school hours. Parents call it disruptive and a “complete failure on every level.”

“It appears we need less poster making and more education,” concerned grandparent Lana Calvert said.

Families went before the board Monday night with blown-up photos of the anti-ICE protest, Calvert saying, “I would view that as a failure.”

They shared their frustration with the Fremont Public Schools’ Board of Education.

“Now, we’re bending the rules of what the student handbook says to allow these students their chance to go out in protest on something that most of them don’t even understand what they’re protesting,” Fremont parent Kiley Meyer said.

The board’s vice president, Terry Sorensen, was happy with the turnout.

“I certainly appreciate folks coming in and expressing their opinions, their beliefs. I wish they’d come more often,” he said while also praising school staff.

“I think admin and teachers were well prepared. I think they did their job. We followed the rules,” Sorensen said.

In his opening statement, Superintendent Dr. Brad Dahl said the school was aware of the protest three days before.

“In response, the administration notified the police department to assist with public safety,” Dahl said.

Family who drove by the protest, and who were present at the meeting, said, “We actually drove by there a couple times and did not see any police in front of the school.”

One Fremont man, Audie Calvert, said he’s frustrated with how residents’ taxes are being used.

“There are a lot of others out there who believe, as I do, that this is not what we are paying for,” Calvert said.

Kiley Meyer said this could’ve been prevented.

“Had we known about this in advance, we could have aided in discussing that with our children,” Meyer said.

Sorensen said the board intends to discuss the incident with Dahl.

“I have no doubt after thinking about this for a while, board members will be calling Dr. Dahl and discussing with him, running some other ideas by him and seeing where it all goes,” Sorensen said.