A new school board member in western Wisconsin is publicly pushing back against new proposed school rules to comply with looming federal Title IX changes.
Somerset school board member Dani Erickson spoke to Liz Collin on her podcast about the 26 pages of changes, which Erickson said would affect everything from bathroom usage to sports participation.
New rules pose challenges for free speech and students’ rights
“These changes will impact our students with free speech and because of these new rules and gender identity, if a child is not able to to relay what they believe to be a man and a woman, they could get in big trouble and have a sexual harassment claim put against them,” Erickson explained.
“One of the other big things that’s happened with this federal ruling is due process. Rights have been stripped from students. We need due process for the accused and the victim, not just the victim, and that’s been stripped from this new ruling that was currently under Title IX. So we need that repealed back and it’s important for our students to have due process,” she added.
Comply with Title IX changes (or lose federal funding)
In April, the Department of Education approved new Title IX rules. They are set to take effect on Aug. 1. If districts don’t comply they risk losing federal funding.
Erickson said in Somerset that could mean losing $1.1 million or nearly 7% of their budget.
“It’s the policymakers and our District Attorney telling us it does not relate or pertain to sports, but that is just not the case. Not when you have such a broad definition of identity by the federal government. It’s just built in. It’s going to impact sports,” Erickson remarked.
Parents and concerned community members filled the room for the July 8 board meeting to raise concerns. The public comment portion lasted nearly an hour.
Parents and residents in Somerset, WI speak out against proposed Title IX policy changes: 'You let this stuff into this school, I guarantee I'll be the first lawsuit against you.' pic.twitter.com/wcraYkv6YK
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) July 12, 2024
Erickson said, “We have many people in the community, many parents who are paying attention … they’re shocked. They can’t believe this is coming to a small town in Wisconsin. They never thought this would happen. Most people are still just out on the lake and not realizing that this is all coming down in two to three weeks.”
A growing list of states have filed lawsuits against the Department of Education over the new rules related to Title IX. Many sport coaches, teachers, and administrators have also spoken out about the changes.
Alpha News reached out to the Somerset school district for comment but did not hear back.
Liz Collin
Liz Collin has been a truth-teller for 20 years as a multi-Emmy-Award-winning reporter and anchor. Liz is a Worthington, Minnesota native who lives in the suburbs with her husband, son and loyal lab.
