Apr. 10, 2026 7:30p
(WGTD)---Monte Nelson wishes social media had never been invented.
The Bradford high school security aide and assistant girls’ basketball coach was fired earlier this year under the district’s policy of progressive discipline for continued violations of KUSD’s communications policy.
The 46 year-old Nelson, who’d been employed by the district for a dozen years, was flagged for following students’ social media accounts, posting ‘thumbs-up’ or ‘heart’ emojis. An anonymous letter from a parent triggered the investigation.
In a 2023 complaint, Nelson posted photos of a homecoming dance on his own social media account. Even though some parents had requested photos of their children, and no students registered complaints, Nelson was given a five-day suspension. He told administrators at the time he wasn’t aware of the district’s policy on posting.
In a third incident, unrelated to social media, Nelson was given a 3-day suspension in 2025 for having a heated argument with a student.
Nelson tells WGTD he believes he did nothing to warrant termination, saying some of his actions were misinterpreted and were meant to support students. Nelson says he believes he was well-liked by most students, some of whom treated him as a confidante.
Nelson is pursuing what he says is his true calling: Social work. He’s a year away from earning a degree at UW-Parkside.
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