OMAHA — The Nebraska State Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved Identity Preparatory Academy, an all-girls middle school planned for North Omaha, granting the school conditional authorization after a contentious review process and lengthy public comment.
Community advocacy and a delayed vote
The decision followed roughly 90 minutes of public remarks from supporters who said the school is a response to long-standing gaps in culturally relevant education and the school-to-prison pipeline affecting Black students in North Omaha. The approval came a week after board members voted to delay consideration.
Board members debated the matter publicly last Friday, when a motion to delay the decision carried on a 6-2 vote. At Tuesday's meeting the board reversed course and unanimously approved the academy, though the board attached conditions the school must meet before fully opening. The board did not release the full list of conditions at the meeting.
Voices from the neighborhood
Supporters who addressed the board cast the approval fight in personal terms, describing a lack of Black teachers in the neighborhood and the urgent need for an environment focused on Black girls' academic success and well-being.
"If they meet the requirements, why are we going through this game of jumping hoops?" said Rev. Portia Cavitt of Clair Memorial United Methodist Church.
Lacey Lamar, a North Omaha resident and advocate, framed the controversy as an affront to American values. "There's nothing more un-American than having to fight to open this school," she said during public comment.
Dr. DerNicia Phillips, the founder and CEO of the proposed Identity Preparatory Academy, said she felt "relieved" after the board's vote. She told the board the delay had consequences for families that were uncertain about the school's future, saying some had decided not to enroll because of the uncertainty.
Questions over curriculum language
Part of the board's scrutiny centered on language posted on the school's website describing an "abolitionist framework." That phrase prompted concern from some board members who sought clarity on what the term meant in an educational setting.
Phillips explained to the board that the reference was to efforts to "abolish the school-to-prison pipeline by cultivating joyful learning spaces for the girls that will be under our care." After visiting the school and discussing those aims directly with its leadership, board member Kirk Penner said his concerns were addressed and he moved to support the school.
Penner also disclosed a personal contribution to the school's mission, saying, "I am such a believer that I have sent a check to help support their mission." He acknowledged that the earlier Friday delay likely affected the outcome, thanking two colleagues who typically vote against conservative positions for supporting the pause.
Board dynamics and fallout
At Tuesday's meeting, tensions among board members surfaced. Liz Renner, the only member present in person, described the prior options as essentially a choice between delay and rejection. Board member Deborah Neary was criticized in remarks by Penner for a social media post he said questioned the motives of conservative board members.
The episode illustrates fault lines among state education officials over how to evaluate new schools that emphasize culturally specific approaches or use charged terminology. Supporters in North Omaha framed the approval as a long-overdue step toward educational options led by and for the community.
What comes next
Identity Preparatory Academy still must meet conditions set by the state board before opening. The school has been fundraising, and its leaders said they will move forward to satisfy the board's requirements.
- Next steps for the school: Meet state board conditions and continue fundraising.
- Community response: Supporters expressed relief and renewed energy to enroll students and back the school.
- Board oversight: The board’s conditional approval indicates ongoing monitoring and required compliance before full authorization.
| Event | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Friday board meeting | Delay vote carried, 6-2 |
| Tuesday board vote | Unanimous conditional approval after public comment |
For many in North Omaha, the approval represents more than one school's opening; it is part of a broader push for educational options that reflect the community's history and needs. The coming weeks will reveal whether the academy can meet the board's conditions and secure the enrollment necessary to launch its first classes.
Reporting for this piece included board meeting testimony and statements from community supporters and school leadership presented to the Nebraska State Board of Education.
