Wausau School District Takes Steps to Limit Discrimination in School

Thursday, September 26th, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(Chris Conley, WSAU and WAOW) Over a year after a Wausau East Student made allegations that former band teacher Robert Perkins insulted their race, and sexual orientation, the Wausau School District is taking steps to limit discrimination in school.

According to Chris Conly with WSAU and WAOW, the district sent out a statement outlining what will change going forward with how discrimination is handled. These changes include hiring nondiscrimination coordinators, training district staff on how to handle discrimination, and sending out surveys each year to students about their experiences with discrimination in school.

Victoria Davis Davila and her firm out of Milwaukee, provided local council for the district last year, and she shared her thoughts on these changes. “We and the family are relieved that the district worked with us to reach this settlement and engage in some training and other corrective action.”

The school district will hire a diversity and inclusion monitor and will increase staff training. An initial investigation into former East High School band director Rob Perkins said language he used in class did not rise to the level of harassment or discrimination.

An outside attorney hired by the district overturned those findings. Perkins has since resigned.

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