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Board briefed on new Wisconsin 'grooming' laws; district planning policy revisions and training
Summary
Administrators summarized Acts 88 and 89, which raise grooming to felony level for positions of trust and require policy changes and annual training. The board was told nine related policy revisions will be brought forward in August and staff training is expected during 2026–27.
District administrators gave a detailed overview of Wisconsin Acts 88 and 89 and outlined next steps for compliance.
Act 88 establishes felony‑level penalties for grooming conduct and expands consequences for those in positions of trust over children; Act 89 requires districts to adopt written policies that define appropriate communications and professional boundaries and to provide annual training on grooming identification and prevention. The presenter said consent is not a defense under the new statute and that penalties include registry obligations.
"Grooming is now a felony level consequence for those in positions of trust," the presenter said during the overview, and added that the district must define acceptable communication platforms and standards of conduct in its policies.
Administrators told the board they will bring nine policy revisions in August to comply with the laws and plan to specify approved district communication platforms (for example ParentSquare), limit one‑on‑one social media/text communications, and include termination among potential consequences for violations. DPI is expected to release a free training program in October; the district will review the DPI materials and may supplement them if needed.
The presentation also noted the law’s broad coverage: it applies to employees, volunteers, coaches, substitutes, bus drivers, community volunteers and others acting in an official capacity. Administrators emphasized recordkeeping and the importance of using district platforms that are auditable for open‑records purposes.
What’s next: policy drafts will come forward in August and administration plans to implement annual training beginning in the 2026–27 school year, timed with DPI guidance where appropriate.
The board did not take a vote on policy text at the meeting but was given a timetable and the administrative plan for compliance.
