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Parents and protesters disrupt school board’s 1st meeting after Nex Benedict’s death [1]
['Kjrh Via Cnn Newsource']
Date: 2024-03-13
OWASSO, Okla. (KJRH) - The school board in Owasso, Oklahoma held their first meeting on Monday since making national headlines last month.
Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary high school student, died on Feb. 8, a day after being assaulted by a group of girls in a school restroom.
Parents and protesters disrupted the meeting, demanding to know what the board planned to do about what they call a bullying problem in the district.
Protesters angry at Owasso Public Schools’ handling of Benedict’s death disrupted its March school board meeting several times Monday night.
Superintendent Dr. Margaret Coates reiterated the district’s written philosophy of respect in her remarks to the board.
“I’m proud that in times like this our school community continues to come together to reflect, support one another, and ensure that every student feels a sense of safety, security and belonging within our school walls,” Coates said.
But her words did not get much of the crowd’s respect and multiple people were booted for disruption.
“Ultimately the story needs to be told and somebody needs to be held accountable,” former Owasso student Madison Hutton said.
Hutton puts the blame for Benedict’s death on what she calls rampant bullying and bigotry at the high school, which she cited during public comments.
“Let me be very clear: we will not allow this to continue. We will not allow Nex’s memory to be tarnished by negligence and indifference,” Hutton said. “We must ask you, where does it end?”
Valerie Lakey, another Owasso alum, says she understands the frustration many have but has faith in district leaders.
“I definitely feel like bullying isn’t as big of an issue at Owasso High School up until this point,” Lakey said.
Others speaking at the meeting did not see it that way.
One unidentified speaker said, “queer kids deserve safe and happy lives just as much as the straight ones do.”
While another said school officials didn’t do their jobs protecting Benedict.
“Nex could’ve been my child because y’all didn’t do your job,” they said. “You didn’t do your job.”
Questions still remain about how the teen died.
Copyright 2024 KJRH via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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[1] Url:
https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/03/13/parents-protesters-disrupt-school-boards-1st-meeting-after-nex-benedicts-death/
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