W-S approves co-op with PdC, fields community concern on Title IX

By Steve Van Kooten

The Wauzeka-Steuben Board of Education pushed forward on two sports co-ops and heard community concerns about school policies during their September 16 meeting.

In attendance were board members Nikki Asleson, Thomas Martin, Ken Buck and Brandon Millin. Interim District Administrator Dr. Gary Albrecht, Jeff Mara, Tiffany Dums and Kevin Kilburg were also present. Board Vice President Jessica Bird was absent.

Jen Huber, a Wauezeka resident and parent to multiple students in the district, expressed concern about the Title IX nondiscrimination on the basis of sex policies that the U.S. Department of Education requires public school districts to follow.

Huber asked if the district expects to approve a policy in the future, how the district will handle going to schools that have approved policies for sporting events and other activities and student safety.

Earlier this month, Prairie du Chien School District approved two policies to comply with the Title IX regulations. Huber said she believed Boscobel School District recently adopted similar policies.

The DOE regulations updated the grievance and complaints process for sexual harassment claims for cases after Aug. 1, 2024, and expanded the definition of “sex” to include sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual nonconformity.

Albrecht addressed the concerns, saying that the district’s entire policy book has been under review for the past several months.

“There’s going to be some — probably a few — policies that warrant more conversation than, ‘Okay, here’s the policy; stamp it and push it forward,’” said Albrecht. “I think that’s going to be one where everybody has to have an understanding of what’s in it.”

He called the nondiscrimination policies a “moving target” because they are embroiled in multiple lawsuits at the state and federal level, including a court case in Kansas that affects the policies’ application in some Wisconsin schools.

The political climate has led to different rulings, depending on the state, court and situation. In most cases, school districts have lost lawsuits involving bathroom/locker room access, according to Butler. Courts have put forth numerous solutions, including allowing students with different gender identities access to locker room areas but not the ability to undress with students of the opposite physiological sex.

Bob Butler, a staff counsel for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, told the Prairie du Chien Board of Education that the Office of Human Rights has the ability to withhold funding from districts that do not comply with Title IX policies, though it has never exercised that power since Title IX’s inception.

“We do have to follow federal and state law — whatever those turn out to be — but we’re working with our attorney, who has read this policy,” said Albrecht.

Butler also said districts without policies in place have opened themselves up to litigation and procedural issues when complaints do happen.

The district’s administration has met with faculty and staff, primarily about sports-related issues that may result from the policies.

Albrecht said, “I have confidence in our coaching staff that they would be able to handle individual situations.”

Albrecht did not give a timeline on when the board of education would have the nondiscrimination policies on the agenda. 

Closed Campus

The board of education received policy samples from other school districts that have closed campuses; however, they would not review them until the meeting went into closed session.

“I still hold the recommendation that we close the campus for safety reasons,” said Albrecht.

Albrecht asked Dums to meet with a selection of students to determine ways the district can improve their school experience if the district becomes a closed campus. Those meetings are expected to take place before the regular board meeting.

The district administration contacted their insurance company about the workout facility, weight room and gymnasium access, particularly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

According to the Albrecht, the overnight use of the facilities would not result in a rate increase for the district; however, it did raise liability concerns.

“It is problematic from a safety standpoint to have that open during the night from a number of perspectives,” he said.

Previously, the board clarified that the workout facility, which has fewer free weights and more aerobic equipment, is meant for community use. In the gymnasium and weight room, minor vandalism and other issues have occurred in the past.

By the board’s next meeting, Albrecht expects to ask for a decision on whether Wauzeka-Steuben will become a closed-campus facility. In the meantime, the administration will continue to work on the workout room and facility access.

The board did not take any action during the meeting. 

Co-ops

Austin Bunders, the district’s athletic director, brought a co-op contract to the board of education for approval.

Bunders contacted Andy Banasik, the Prairie du Chien School District’s district administrator and athletic director, to explore a co-op between the two districts for boys and girls soccer.

The co-op also involves “other local schools that already co-op with Prairie,” according to Bunders.

The two districts had exploratory meetings in late August. Prairie du Chien requested the co-op agreement receive approval from the Wauzeka-Steuben board before the deadline on October 1.

“We’ve gone through every question we had with him as far as coaching, cost for us and [where] that schedule and duties will,” Bunders said.

Earlier in September, the athletics department conducted a student survey to gauge the interest in a soccer program. Bunders reported that five students said they wanted to participate.

“In that survey, it picked up three students who are not in a sports activity, which I was excited to see,” Dums told the board. “I would like to participate and see how it goes.”

She added that Prairie is charging “a minimal amount” per student to participate in the co-op. Bunders confirmed that Wauzeka-Steuben will pay $100 for each participating student.

In the agreement, the co-op will use Prairie du Chien’s facilities for practices and games. Families or the district will have to provide transportation to practices.

The board approved the soccer co-op with Prairie du Chien.

The next regular board meeting will take place on October 14, a week earlier than normal due to the budget/annual/special meeting scheduled for October 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hornet’s Nest. 

Hires

Katie Mezera, middle school volleyball coach, and Shannon Sorbo, junior varsity basketball coach. 

Other business

• Albrecht introduced several goals for the district during the 2024–25 school year: to initiate/make progress on building and parking lot improvement projects, revisit HVAC/ventilation options for the school building, work with DDI and the village to address housing concerns, pursue math-intervention options for elementary grades and prepare for district leadership change next year. The board will present the goals to the public at the annual meeting.- Albrecht anticipates the board will need to take action on different portions of the crosswalk project before the end of the year.

• The district has a total of 248 students in the 2024–25 school year, up one from last year. Open enrollment went from a net-positive ratio of 38:27 this past year to 47:28 this year. Albrecht said the district had been in decline in recent years, so the positive growth was an encouraging sign.

• Mark Lee, executive director for Driftless Development, Inc., spoke to the board about housing issues within the community, internet availability and economic development strategies within the village and town.