Hurley School Board addresses Title IX changes

By MEGAN HUGHES

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Hurley — During a regular monthly meeting on Monday, members of the Hurley School District Board of Education discussed and planned for policy changes that will begin on Aug. 1, due to federal adjustments to Title IX regulations.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 are those regarding discrimination based on sex in relation to educational programs and activities.

“The Title IX applies to schools, local and state educational agencies all across the United States that receive any federal finance from the (U.S.) Department of Education,” said District Administrator Kevin Genisot, “They have extended the benefits to women that are pregnant, and they put some stipulations in the legal language that (were) not in previous Title IX acts.”

Genisot explained that changes cover topics such as sex discrimination, harassment, pregnancy and other related items. Title IX also defines what institutions must do to meet these regulations, including staff training and assigning coordinators.

The Hurley School District has named Melissa Oja, principal of the middle/high schools, and Steve Lombardo, the elementary principal, as the two coordinators for Title IX matters.

According to Genisot, their job is to assess any reports of discrimination, investigate them, and determine the best course of action on behalf of the school.

“If you were in a large district, they would have three separate people that do each part of the job,” said Genisot.

These changes will be in place starting Aug. 1.

In other news, the board voted to continue paying for busing the two club sports, junior high girls softball and junior high boys baseball, to local schools for competition.

The school began paying for this transportation during the COVID-19 lockdowns when it was difficult for some students to secure transportation to and from games.

There was some concern raised regarding whether the same opportunity had been offered for other club activities, such as golf, in the past. Genisot said the board had never been approached with such concerns.

At this time, the only club sports offered in Hurley are the two that are having their transportation funded.

The board also voted to approve the replacement of carpet in three areas, and the replacement of bathroom tiled floors with epoxy flooring matching past upgrades to spaces such as the school library. According to Genisot, the epoxy flooring not only holds up under wear, but is also easier to keep sanitized than carpeted flooring. Action Floors Systems of Mercer will complete the work.

In other news, the board:

—Approved the second and final reading for student handbook changes.

—Approved the common core standards for English, math and language arts, and the Wisconsin Academic Standards for all other areas as presented.

—Approved the hiring of PK-12 music teacher Bethany Bungartz.