WINNECONNE, Wis. — The Winneconne school board recently voted 4-3 to pass updated Title IX policies.

The new rules redefine sex and place new regulations on faculty. They also provide protections against sex-based harassment and LGBTQ+ harassment.

However, some parents in the Winneconne School District said they are concerned about the updated Title IX regulations regarding sex-based discrimination.

What You Need To Know

  • The Winneconne school board recently voted 4-3 to pass updated Title IX policies on Aug. 5

  • Under the Biden administration's new rules, the Department of Education broadened the definition of sex discrimination to include gender identity

  • According to the rules, schools may not prevent a student from participating in “sex-separate activities” that are consistent with their gender identity. While there are some exceptions, the nondiscrimination policy applies to shared facilities, such as locker rooms and school bathrooms

  • However, some parents in the Winneconne School District said they are concerned about the updated Title IX regulations regarding sex-based discrimination

Under the Biden administration's new rules, the Department of Education broadened the definition of sex discrimination to include gender identity.

According to the rules, schools may not prevent a student from participating in “sex-separate activities” that are consistent with their gender identity. While there are some exceptions, the nondiscrimination policy applies to shared facilities, such as locker rooms and school bathrooms.

Laura Ackman is the chair of the Winnebago County chapter of Moms for Liberty. She said some parents are concerned about shared personal facilities.

“When you start letting opposite-sex people into girls’ bathrooms, that is not a safe environment. And I think the bigger issue beyond all this is all this 1,500 pages [of new policies] and everything that they’re trying to do with forcing transgender [ideology] onto our parents and our students,” Ackman said.

Peggy Larson, the Winneconne Community School District administrator, said the district plans to give all students — including transgender students — options.

“If we have a boy student who identifies as a girl and wants to use the female restrooms and/or locker rooms, what we do is we create a plan — meaning, ‘OK, you have that right to do that. However, here are other options. Would you just like to come to the health room to change? Would you like to go to a different space that’s private?’ ” Larson said.

Larson said she understands some parents are upset about these new policies, but the district must follow laws.

“We can’t opt out of the law, but I understand it’s contentious, and I appreciate that but just want families to know nothing is different from previous years than will be the start of school this year,” Larson said.

The Winneconne School District attorney said if the policy was not adopted, the district could face lawsuits.

“If there was a transgender student who believed that he or she was violating the law or that the district was violating the law, with respect to the new Title IX regulations, the student or the student’s family could bring a lawsuit against the district challenging the district and requiring the district to properly address the new Title IX regulations,” attorney Tony Renning said.

Crystal Kronberg said she and some other parents want one thing from the Winneconne school board.

“Options. Listen to the voices of the parents equal for all kids, no matter which race, which gender, equal rights,” Kronberg said.

The full Title IX manual is available here.