Monday night's Omaha Public Schools board meeting was the first one in-person since schools closed from the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were plenty of parents and student on hand to give their input on a number of issues, from masks to reopening schools.
Overall, public comment focused on mask-wearing, the Family 3/2 plan. Students with last names A-K would go to school Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the students would go to class Thursday and Friday. The plan calls for the two groups to alternate on Wednesday's.
One person spoke out that physically reopening schools would put students in danger.
“It’s a strange world where a person has to beg the board of education and their fellow citizens not to kill their family but here I am, and I’m begging. Please, please don’t put children and teachers and other school staff of our city in any more danger than they already are,” said Annika Ellefson.
Some want to keep schools closed, others demanded opening it five days a week.
“We have already seen pop up paid programs to supplement on the OPS off days which in my opinion will only continue to widen the gap that exists between those with means and those without,” said Gina Miller.
In a socially distanced room where masks were required, there were plenty of parents ready to speak out against a mask mandate even if their children do not attend Omaha public schools.
“We all know this mask isn’t doing anything for me right now, it’s not filtering anything out but in order for me to speak today, in order for me to enter the building -- I was told I had to wear the mask,” said parent Reagan Simmons.
6 News reports the Black Lives Matter movement was also at the forefront of Monday night's conversation.
OPS was also the target of a demonstration over the weekend. A group of current former students gathered outside Central High School to call for a change in strategy for dealing with school safety as well an emphasis in black in history in the curriculum.
The students say that they cannot have a successful education until their schools reflect the community they see in Omaha.
(Photo: 6 News)