Nebraska man rejected from ‘dream’ job as a firefighter because he was homeschooled: ‘You guys are discriminating against him’

The dispute centers on a technicality. The Fremont job posting in April required “graduation from high school” — without specifying “accredited.” After rejecting Coates, the city updated the language to read “graduation from an accredited high school.”

Both sides of the argument

Coates and his family don’t accept this rationale and took the fight to the Civil Service Commission, supported by roughly 30 homeschool supporters and the Cedar Bluffs Fire Chief, Chris Lichtenberg, who feels the City is missing out. “You guys are discriminating against him,” he stated during the appeal.

Jennifer McDuffee, Fremont’s HR director, said the requirement was always implied: “I would say it’s a standard understanding that when someone requests a high school diploma or GED that they’re asking for an accredited diploma.”

Commissioner Doug Backens also noted, “I don’t think there was any discrimination against him, and I don’t care to hear that word out there.”

Moneywise contacted the City of Fremont for comment but had not heard back by publication time.

The Commission acknowledged the ambiguity in the original job posting but ruled it lacked authority to address city policy. Commission chairman Steve Tellatin cited concern about “the posting of the original requirements for the job and the ambiguity of what a diploma is,” but took no action.

Andrew’s father, Seth Coates, noted they were given 30 days to file in court.

Homeschooling & accreditation: Why it matters

The case touches a nerve because homeschooling is both legal and increasingly common, yet the credentials it produces remain unevenly recognized by employers.