Neligh-Oakdale Stops Walkout, But Plans Shooter Drill

A planned walkout from Neligh-Oakdale on Wednesday morning was thwarted after students were told they would be given detention if they left school grounds.

Although the 17-minute walkout did not take place, the district has plans to train its teachers and staff with an active shooter drill in April.

The planned walkout was part of a national movement to protest gun violence and was one month after a gunman killed 17 people at a high school in Florida.

Superintendent Scott Gregory said he was aware of a potential walkout and not only informed students of the consequences but placed staff outside the school doors in case any students left the building.

“The reason why they were posted is if a walkout occurred, they would steer them into the foyer to keep them safe,” Gregory said.

According to the school handbook, students leaving class at 10 a.m would have been leaving school without permission. The consequence, he said, for a first offense minor infraction is a 7 a.m. detention.

“When it comes to student political speech, that would constitute a distraction,” Gregory said.

While walkouts occurred across the country, so did a “walk up,” which is an effort encouraging students to walk up to another student to reach out with friendliness and compassion.

Gregory said he would support such an effort but that it would have to be student led, not by the faculty or staff.

“We can work with students and would, but that would have to come from students. If we had requests, we would look at it and fairly consider them,” he said.

Gregory said Neligh-Oakdale is planning an active shooter training with the Nebraska State Patrol on April 11. He said there will be a 1:30 p.m. dismissal that day with the training beginning at 2 p.m. He said all teachers and staff will participate and have a safety meeting afterward.