According to an article by FireRescue1, the Freemont Fire Department had a job posting that required applicants to have graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
However, the rules were changed after 22-year-old Andrew Coates, a state-certified EMT and a volunteer firefighter, applied for the job. The reason was he is was homeschooled.
His diploma was rejected, and the City of Fremont amended its employment policy to require applicants to have graduated from an "accredited high school."
Coates spoke on “Washington Watch” about what happened after he applied for the job.
“After closing date, we were contacted by the city and saying that our application was being withdrawn because we did not have an accredited high school diploma. Since then, me and my family have been just trying to talk with the city,” Coates says.
Because homeschools in Nebraska are considered non-approved, non-accredited private schools, parents have to seek an exempt status with the state’s Department of Education for not meeting the state’s accreditation requirements.
Coates said he was accepted into college and maintained a 3.8 GPA.
“The inspiration behind it all (becoming a firefighter) was from a Fremont firefighter that worked for my father's business," Coates told the program.
"He just really encouraged me to kind of seek after the job," he said. " It kind of stuck with me what he said, and then we just kept pursuing education, EMT, state license."
According to Coates’ father, they believed their homeschooling meets the exemption requirements. So they were shocked Coates was disqualified from public employment.
“I couldn't believe it at first. When they told me it was because I was homeschooled, I really just couldn't believe it. I was just shocked. I was really shocked,” Coates said.
Recently, a civil service commission heard an appeal from Coates, reports Fox 10 News. That hearing included testimony from Chris Lichtenberg, the Cedar Bluffs fire chief. He said the City of Freemont is discriminating against a qualified applicant.
However, the commission ruled it didn't have the authority to overturn the city’s employment policy. There is an appeal process which the Coates family plans to pursue.
The young man told "Washington Watch" he is taking a public stand to stand up for other homeschooled students.
