SHELL LAKE — The Shell Lake School Board voted 3-2 to update a new Title IX policy on non-discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities at a meeting Monday, July 29.
This policy is a new rule put in place by a federal executive order, which was then sent down to state level. Supt. Todd Felhofer said the district already has non-discrimination policies and those will stay in effect no matter the outcome of the vote. If any discrimination investigations happened before Aug. 1, the old policies would have been used. This one is a stand-alone policy.
Because it is a federal law (though districts are not required to adopt this recommended policy), Felhofer said, “We don’t want to mess this one up.”
However, he added, “The board doesn’t have to have the policy.”
He recommended approving the policy that night so it was in place by Aug. 1, and the board could revisit it at a different date.
Eighty percent of Wisconsin school districts will have the exact same policy, he added, as it puts rules in place on how to handle any sexual discrimination effectively. There is also training required for staff, since there have been changes in gender identification and federal laws.
Board Vice President Nicole Tims said there was a section in the policy regarding use of locker rooms when it comes to anyone who identifies as transgender playing sports that concerned her.
“I’m here to protect our kids,” she said.
President Bethany Deneen said the school has never excluded anyone from a sport based on gender.
Felhofer said the policy won’t be able to explain every situation, but it will cover the district in case someone challenged it, since it is based off existing law by the U.S. Department of Education, and it goes back to the Title IX law of 1972 regarding discrimination. There are already cases in court, but none locally.
Tims said she would like to look at the policy resource guide before approving it.
Board member Joel Anderson said he didn’t necessarily agree with the new policy, “but we’re talking about federal law.”
Tims suggested postponing the policy until the August meeting.
Board Treasurer Scott Smith said he would like the board’s policy committee to revisit the policy, and Felhofer said any adopted policy can be amended.
The board approved the policy 3-2, with members Smith, Deneen, Joel Anderson and Angie Bodzislaw voting yes and board members Tims and Jake Anderson voting no.
In other action Monday night, the board:
Hired Megan Reilly as high school math teacher and Allie Gronning as middle school volleyball coach.Approved the 2024-25 employee handbook.
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