WINNECONNE, Wis. – The Winneconne Area School District announced Friday that longtime administrator Peggy Larson officially retired after 31 years of service. Her retirement comes in the wake of a district investigation that examined her decision to disclose a student’s name preference related to gender identity at a recent graduation ceremony.
Investigation Findings
The investigation, which also looked at several other possible policy violations, concluded that the board should consider whether Larson’s actions warranted termination or non‑renewal of her contract. The report cited multiple breaches, including the alleged release of information from a closed‑session meeting and the sharing of personal details about a student without following the district’s open‑records request process.
Board member Kimberley Zeller raised concerns during a public comment period on June 1, questioning the legality of the home visit by a parent‑advocacy group and the student’s name decision under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The investigation later noted that Zeller herself violated board policy by voicing those concerns publicly, and she subsequently acknowledged that private channels would have been more appropriate.
Administrator’s Response
Larson defended her actions, stating that she disclosed the information out of a “safety concern” and to ensure the student received appropriate support. She cited FERPA, arguing that the district may share personally identifiable information with school officials who have a legitimate educational interest.
In a statement released by Larson’s attorneys, she expressed disagreement with the investigation’s conclusions, emphasizing that the findings do not reflect her understanding of the events or the values that guided her career. She also noted that she did not wish to engage in a public back‑and‑forth that would distract from serving students and the community.
Parental Reaction
The student’s parent, who wrote a May 29 email to the school counselor, blamed the district for influencing the child’s gender‑identity beliefs, saying, “The school is 100 percent to blame for why my son still thinks he should be a woman, by feeding into his delusions and turning him against his family.” The parent indicated plans to consult legal counsel and mentioned involvement from Moms for Liberty.
Larson’s retirement became effective the Friday before the board’s decision to begin searching for an interim district administrator at its recent meeting.
Recall Petition Context
Earlier this year, board Vice President Dean Ackmann and board member Cindy Otten faced a recall petition backed by Moms for Liberty Winnebago County. The petition was rejected by clerk Kari Flagg because the organizers failed to file required campaign registration and intent‑to‑circulate documents. The recall effort has added tension to an already charged environment surrounding the district’s handling of gender‑identity issues.
While the investigation highlighted procedural missteps, many community members view Larson’s long tenure and dedication to the district as a testament to her commitment to education and family values. The board’s next step will be to appoint an interim administrator who can continue to uphold the district’s mission while navigating the ongoing debate over parental‑rights and student privacy.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
