Green Bay school board approves job-description changes after U.S. Education civil-rights letter; vote splits 4-3

The Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education on Feb. 14, 2025, approved revisions to several staff job descriptions after a letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) prompted the district to remove or alter language that OCR said could run afoul of federal civil-rights law. The motion carried 4-3.

The move follows a statement read to the board by district staff member David Johns on behalf of Superintendent Vicki Beyer explaining the timeline. Johns said districts had 14 days to respond to the OCR notice and warned that failure to comply could put about $40,000,000 in federal funding at risk for programs including free and reduced-price meals and staff and resources for high-poverty schools. "From that time, districts had 14 days to comply, which is why the Board of Education is being asked to approve changes to several job descriptions," Johns said.

The changes were framed by staff as a response to OCR guidance. Board members who opposed the edits said the letter should not force local policy changes and described the decision as painful. "This evening, I am, for the first time in 3 years, going to vote contrary to my values under threat of action," Board member James (last name not specified in the transcript) said. He said the revisions remove words such as "inclusion" and "diversity" from some family and community engagement positions and pupil services roles and that the district had defined those responsibilities to support students.

Board member Rick (last name not specified) read portions of the OCR letter into the record and said the letter cites Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and warns of possible loss of federal funds if institutions do not comply. "The letter closes out by the threat. 'Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may face potential loss of federal funding,'" Rick said.

Several other board members described voting for the changes as a reluctant step to protect district programs. Board member Brian (last name not specified) said he would "plug my nose" and vote yes to preserve funding. Board member Lynn (last name not specified) said she would vote no and called the action un-American, saying she would not "give that up." Board member Andrew (last name not specified) said he would vote no but respected colleagues who viewed a yes vote as the lesser of evils.

The roll call recorded the following individual votes: Lee — yes; Mills — yes; McCoy — yes; Lyerly — yes; Becker — no; Gerlach — yes; Crossan — no. The chair announced the motion carried 4 to 3.

Board members and staff repeatedly said the district intends to continue community engagement and services for students regardless of the revised wording. Johns told the board the administration remained committed to the district mission "to educate all students to be college, career, and community ready, inspired to succeed in our diverse world." The transcript records multiple board statements emphasizing continued support for students and staff despite the changes.

Notes: The district cited a Feb. 14, 2025, OCR communication as the trigger for the changes. The transcript contains extended debate on the legal and moral implications of complying with a federal notice, including concerns about local control and the impact on district programs.

Ending: The board's approval took effect immediately for the purposes of meeting the federal timeline described by staff. Several board members urged continued outreach to families and staff to ensure the substance of services and supports for students is preserved despite wording changes.