Owasso School Board addresses death of Nex Benedict
Tensions were high in Monday night's Owasso School Board meeting. It was the first one held since the death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary student.
OWASSO, Okla. (KFOR) - Tensions were high in Monday night's Owasso School Board meeting. It was the first one held since the death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary student.
Nex died just days after a fight inside an Owasso High School bathroom.
His death is still under investigation, and police have not identified the cause, but some members in attendance tonight don't want the school board to wait any longer to make changes.
"It is with deep sadness that in my report tonight I addressed the recent loss of one of our own, Nex Benedict, a bright and promising young student," Dr. Margaret Coates, Owasso Superintendent said.
For the first time since the death of Nex Benedict, the Owasso School Board addressed their death with the public.
"In closing, the best way that we can honor the memory of Nex Benedict is to continue to simply treat others the way you want to be treated with dignity, respect, compassion, understanding every single day, thank you," Dr. Coates said.
Cheers and then boos followed Dr. Coates comments, forcing Owasso Board of Education President Brent England to step in.
Many community members said they aren't satisfied with the superintendent's comments, with one person making their voice heard, demanding change.
"Apparently, people don't feel safe here. I can't imagine why at all. A more woke school board would see the death of a child and work to make sure it never happens again. Not this board."
They even called out State Senator Tom Woods for his comments two weeks ago.
"When we heard that a trans child had been beaten to death; our State Senator, Tom Woods, immediately released a statement. "We don't want that filth in Oklahoma." We can call children filth. Even the dead ones, because, you know, we're the good guys, right? And if we're wrong, you know, if God doesn't want us driving off the lepers and deviants and worshiping the bankers, if our God doesn't want us casting the first stone, if our God doesn't want us loving people, despite their differences as well. If we're wrong, then I guess I'll see you all in hell. Thank you."
School leaders say they are cooperating with police on the investigation. The US Department of Education has also launched an investigation into the school district.