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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 state law intersect.
What the board heard and what staff said Director Lueck, who led a staff presentation, told the board that the Department of Education's 2024 Title IX regulations took effect Aug. 1, 2024, and that the district adopted a matching policy in December 2024. He said a federal court decision in January vacated the 2024 final rule and that the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) and certain legal advisers recommended districts revert to the 2020 version of the Title IX regulation. Lueck summarized other district policies that remain in force, including Policy 102 (Equal Educational Opportunity), Policy 4-13 (Harassment and Violence) and Policy 5-14 (Bullying Prohibition), and he reminded the public that Minnesota law, including the Minnesota Human Rights Act, also protects students.
Many public commenters urged the board to reverse the reversion. Community member Elle Newman told the board, “The fact that you're willing to remove this language because some people tell you to is a problem.” A student who identified themself as queer said, “Queer and trans kids aren't going away. They exist in your community. They exist in your schools.” Multiple speakers cited increased risk of suicidality for LGBTQ+ youth and called for explicit, written district protections.
Board members discussed legal and practical implications. Several directors said Minnesota's state protections provide important safeguards, but they also agreed the definition of discrimination and the investigative procedures under different Title IX versions are legally nuanced and confusing for staff who must implement them. Director Donovan asked the board to continue examining how to “connect the dots” between state policy, the district's other anti-harassment policies and Title IX procedures so students know which process will be followed when they report problems.
Next steps and board direction Board members agreed to continue discussion and to refer further work on specific language to the Board Operations committee so the district can consider whether to propose additional policy language or clarifications. Director Hanratty and others indicated they would add possible language ideas to future Board Operations agendas. Director Lueck encouraged community members to respond to a Minnesota Department of Education survey on the impact of recent federal and state changes.
Documentation and context The board's presentation noted that differences between the 2020 and 2024 Title IX rules include definitions of covered conduct and procedural changes (who investigates and how investigations proceed). Staff warned that mixing multiple investigative procedures (for example, Title IX vs. anti-bullying policy) can create confusion about which process applies to a student's complaint.
Ending Board members thanked speakers for attending and asked the public to continue communicating with district leaders. No formal vote to reinstate or amend Title IX policy occurred at the meeting; the item remained an information and discussion item with follow-up work directed to Board Operations.
