KIEL, Wis.— Kiel Area School District’s Title IX investigation into three 8th graders who allegedly misused pronouns for another student has closed, according to a letter from the district released Thursday.

“We have issued clear directives and expectations to all students involved in this matter for the purpose of preventing bullying and harassment and ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all of our students,” the Board of Education said in the letter.

“Based on these actions, and pursuant to District policies and procedures, the School District considers this matter closed,” the letter continued.

Cory Brewer, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty associate counsel, said the misuse of pronouns isn’t covered under Title IX, and does not think this case qualified as "sexual harrassment." WILL represented the children and their families who were under investigation.

“While we are glad that the District has ended its investigation, this dispute should have never been escalated to this point. We expect the Kiel Area School District to ensure that this Title IX complaint is not on my son’s record. We are thankful to our friends, family, and community for their support," Rose Rabidoux, a parent of one of the Kiel students facing Title IX allegations, said in a statement. 

Title IX states “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

The middle school's handbook stated, "harassment is verbal or physical conduct relating to an individual’s membership in a protected class (including, but not limited to: age, sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, emotional or learning disability) that has purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment, or which interferes with the individual’s work or learning performance." 

The school has received at least half a dozen bomb threats over the last several weeks related to the investigation, forcing multiple schools in the area to cancel classes for days.

Kiel police said one threat stated is the school district did not drop the investigation by Friday, the entire city would be targeted. Police said the city’s emergency management team met on Thursday to create a plan to address threats.

Earlier this week, a 34-year-old man from California was arrested for a different threat, targeting a staff member in the school district.

Read the full letter below: 

Nathan Phelps contributed to this report.