Stoughton board hears update on federal certification request, state budget outlook and rise in seclusion and restraint

At a Stoughton Area School District Board of Education meeting, board member Lisa Pugh updated the board on recent federal and state education developments and on a statewide report showing increases in student seclusion and restraint.

Pugh said the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter on April 3 asking state education agencies to certify whether federal funds were being used for certain diversity, equity and inclusion-related policies. She told the board that Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Superintendent Jill Underly responded to the U.S. Department of Education on April 18 without providing the formal certification the federal letter requested, instead sending assurances about districts’ compliance with federal…