Sparta Area School District board suspends new Title IX policy, reverts to earlier grievance rules

The Sparta Area School District board voted unanimously to suspend district policy 2264 and revert to a revised version of policy 2266 after a federal court vacated the U.S. Department of Education'024 Title IX regulations.

Sam Russ, a district staff member, told the board that a federal judge in Kentucky had vacated the 2024 rules and that the Department of Education was not enforcing those regulations while legal appeals remain possible. On attorneys dvice, he said the district should suspend 2264 effective immediately and resume the prior grievance framework in 2266, removing references to an August 1, 2024 effective date.

The move, presented as a procedural change, does not alter the district pproach to supporting students and staff who report mistreatment, Russ said. "We still support the respondent, we support the complainant," he said, describing the change as one about which reporting and grievance avenue the district uses rather than the protections students receive.

Under the recommended approach, administrators will consult the district esignated Title IX compliance contact when allegations might meet Title IX thresholds. If the compliance officer determines an allegation falls under Title IX definitions, the district would follow a formal grievance process; if not, the matter would proceed under the student code of conduct or staff discipline procedures, Russ said. He also noted that where incidents span dates that include August 1, 2024, the district will consult its attorneys about the appropriate process.

Miss Lopez moved to suspend policy 2264 and revise policy 2266 as presented; Mister Wells seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as: Miss Farrens (yes), Miss Lopez (yes), Mister Wells (yes), Mister Scholz (yes), Mister Burns Gilbert (yes), Doctor Burnett (yes) and Mister McKenna (yes). The motion carried, 7-0.

Board members who spoke during the discussion described the legal situation as confusing and welcomed the attorneys dvice that suspension would preserve the district bility to respond quickly if courts rule otherwise.

The district posted the policies and the recommended revisions in board materials for the meeting; copies of the policies and the attorneys—ormal advice were not read into the record during the public portion of the meeting.

Voting record and motions from the meeting are included in the district minutes and in the actions section below.