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Parents at Winneconne board meeting say opt‑out forms were lost, urge opt‑in and policy changes
Summary
Parents during the Nov. 18 Winneconne Community School District board meeting said opt‑out forms for health instruction were lost in email and urged the district to adopt an opt‑in process; several speakers also urged the board to rescind or revise recent gender‑identity policy language.
Several parents used the board's open forum on Nov. 18 to say the district's opt‑out process for health and sex‑education materials failed them and to urge policy reversals on student gender‑identity guidance.
Crystal Cromberg, who said she lives on County Road G, told the board she completed opt‑out paperwork for three of her children on Aug. 28 and sent it to three staff members but that the forms were lost in email. "This is unacceptable," Cromberg said, adding she had specific personal reasons for wanting a daughter opted out and that "Peggy Larson is aware of that." She urged the district to move to an opt‑in form so parents' decisions cannot be missed and warned of potential lawsuits if the problem persisted.
Carrie Flagg, a Winneconne resident, urged the board to rescind revised Title IX and student gender‑identity policies and argued parents should retain primary decision‑making authority. Flagg cited prior board meetings and an attorney's comment that the board could rescind revisions and urged more transparency and cooperation between parents and the district.
Laura Ackman, who identified herself as representing Moms for Liberty, asked why urinals were removed during middle‑ and high‑school remodeling and said the change raised questions about the intent behind restroom design choices. "That kind of seems like a silly thing that should be brought up to the school board, but I find it very questionable," she said, asking that the board discuss the item at a future meeting or listening session.
Other residents, including John Alexander and Katie Kalowerts, expressed frustration with recent policy debates and asked for clearer parental‑consent language. Kalowerts proposed borrowing language from a neighboring district that specifies parental or guardian consent in a minor's gender‑identity plan.
Board members acknowledged the public comments and directed procedural responses: administrators noted how residents can subscribe to agenda updates on the district website, and the board said policy language and timing remain under review. There was no formal board action during the public comment period to change opt‑out processes or to rescind policies; speakers urged follow‑up and additional discussion at future meetings.
The next procedural step in this meeting was routine: the board moved on to consent and other agenda items and later approved several policy updates and calendar items. Any policy changes would require the board to place revised language on a future agenda for debate and formal vote.
