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Winona school board hears hours of public comment after reverting to earlier Title IX rules; board outlines other protections and next steps
Summary
Hundreds of minutes of public comment urged reinstating explicit LGBTQ+ protections after the district said it reverted its Title IX policy to a 2020 regulatory framework following a federal court decision; board staff outlined alternative district and state protections and directed further review.
Hundreds of residents, students and local clergy urged the Winona Area Public School District board on Tuesday to restore explicit protections for LGBTQ+ students after the board reverted its Title IX policy to the 2020 regulatory framework earlier this spring.
Members of the public said the change followed legal guidance and industry recommendations rather than a local choice, and they described the reversion as causing fear and potential harm for queer and trans students at district schools. Speakers included current students, parents, teachers, community organizers and a pastor who said research shows LGBTQ+ youth face higher rates of self-injury and suicide attempts.
Why it matters: The board's action has prompted public concern because many speakers said explicit written protections—beyond the procedural rules of Title IX—help students feel safe, reduce harassment and improve mental-health outcomes. Board members, staff and attorneys flagged a complex legal landscape in which federal rules, court decisions and…
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