Fremont City Council removes hiring rule barring homeschool graduates

The Fremont City Council voted 8-0 on September 29 to remove a hiring requirement that mandated applicants for city positions hold a diploma from an accredited high school or a GED. The decision follows the rejection of Andrew Coates, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter and certified EMT, whose application for a paid position was denied because he was homeschooled.

The new policy will “acknowledge and accept lawfully issued high school diplomas to fulfill high school-level education requirements for city jobs.” This change allows Coates to continue pursuing the firefighting role and opens other municipal positions, such as police roles, to homeschool graduates.

The policy shift came after public testimony and pressure from groups including the American Center for Law and Justice and the Home School Legal Defense Association. While the change applies specifically to Fremont, the Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association is seeking statewide legislative action to ensure homeschool credentials are accepted by all municipalities.