{"id":594,"date":"2023-02-22T15:55:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T16:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=594"},"modified":"2023-02-24T15:12:10","modified_gmt":"2023-02-24T15:12:10","slug":"sun-prairie-school-district-sends-mom-cease-desist-letter-after-she-questions-transgender-book-read-to-first-graders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=594","title":{"rendered":"Sun Prairie School District Sends Mom Cease & Desist Letter After She Questions Transgender Book Read to First Graders"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post originally appeared at https:\/\/www.wisconsinrightnow.com\/sun-prairie-schools\/<\/a><\/p>\n

A lawyer representing the Sun Prairie School District sent a cease-and-desist letter to a local mother, demanding that she stop her \u201cpersistent questioning of District curriculum\u201d after she emailed Creekside Elementary School Principal Kyle Walsh concerns about a book on transgender issues that he recorded himself reading for elementary school students.<\/p>\n

In part, the letter demands that the parent never suggest to Walsh in emails or other communication that reading the book is \u201cdisturbing.\u201d The letter says its second purpose \u201cis to address your persistent questioning of District curriculum and to direct you to cease and desist in any manner other than to comply with School District policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walsh is the principal who recently caused controversy for writing in an email<\/a> to parents that \u201cwhite privilege is an unlimited ATM, it never runs out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Axley Attorneys, a Madison law firm, sent the letter on Feb. 20, 2023, to parent Kris Ganske, a well-known anti-bullying advocate in the district and mother of a first grader. The four-page letter is signed by attorney Lori M. Lubinsky<\/a>, who wrote that she represents the Sun Prairie Area School District.<\/p>\n

Ganske told Wisconsin Right Now that her central concern was that the book was being read to first graders without more involvement from parents. Lubinsky previously represented<\/a> the Wauwatosa School District in an open records lawsuit relating to its \u201cgender identity curriculum.\u201d She also represented<\/a> DePere School District against a challenge to its COVID policies.<\/p>\n

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We sent the school district an open records request asking for the amount of the legal fees for the drafting of the cease and desist letter.<\/p>\n

We asked for comment from the members of the Sun Prairie Board of Education, none responded.<\/p>\n

The Sun Prairie Star previously named<\/a> the parent, Ganske, one of its \u201c20 to watch in 2020,\u201d writing, \u201cStar readers recall that Ganske was among those who publicly took on the Sun Prairie School Board in order to get the board to do something about pervasive reports of bullying in Sun Prairie Area School District public schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

The book in question is called \u201cWhen Aidan Became a Brother,\u201d according to an email Walsh sent Creekside staff, which was obtained by Wisconsin Right Now. The 2019 picture book<\/a> \u201ccelebrates the changes in a transgender boy\u2019s life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother,\u201d according to its Amazon page.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe main thing I have to say about this book being read to first graders\u2026My issue is not the content of the book, my issues and concerns come from the conversations that may be had after the book,\u201d Ganske, the mother of an LGBT child herself, told WRN.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe questions, concerns and confusions a young child may have,\u201d Ganske added, saying she believes parents were not prepared enough.<\/p>\n

Ganske said she asked that \u201cmore controversial lessons be transparent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The parent expressed her concerns in multiple lengthy emails to Walsh. In an email to Ganske in early February, Walsh did note that we \u201ccan certainly find time for you to meet with your child\u2019s teacher in advance of any concerning content or topics, and you can decide if you\u2019d like (her son) to be removed from the learning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the lawyer\u2019s letter has a very different tone.<\/p>\n

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The letter notes, \u201cPlease know that this communication has the full support of District Administration including District Administrator Brad Saron and Board President Steve Schroeder.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer wrote that the parent does \u201cnot have a right to be notified every time anything that you may personally deem to be \u2018non basic curriculum\u2019 is used in the classroom.\u201d It demands, \u201cPlease cease and desist from communicating with Principal Walsh over any further concerns you have with the curriculum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am in receipt of numerous email communications you have sent to Principal Kyle Walsh including most recently two emails you sent to him on February 15, 2023, concerning the National Day of Reading activity at Creekside Elementary School,\u201d the lawyer\u2019s letter says.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn those emails you reflect on the National Day of Reading activity as \u2018beyond disturbing\u2019 and describe Principal Walsh reading the book as \u2018borderline grooming.\u2019 You offer your opinion on who should be reading the book and question why the book is so important to Principal Walsh. You claim that comments on-line, which you imply align with your
\nviews, include that Principal Walsh will \u2018be the next SP Pedo staff member\u2019 and \u2018what\u2019s next a drag show.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

WRN obtained the actual email that Ganske sent using those words. In the case of two of the latter comments, she states in the email that other parents were making them and labeled them \u201cinsane,\u201d as opposed to saying they were her own opinions. To be clear, WRN is not suggesting nor stating that Walsh is grooming anyone. However, for the purpose of providing full context, here is what Ganske wrote in that email passage referencing the book reading.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter thinking about this more, this is so beyond disturbing. This is borderline grooming\u2026 you want this particular book shared with the entire school, with your own voice reading the book,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is this book so important to you? Why with your own voice and not have a teacher read a book of their choice to the class? I have so many questions,\u201d she wrote. \u201cIt is already going around and I am absolutely not the only parent who is on fire right now. Comments are flowing \u2018will he be the next SP Pedo staff member?\u2019\u2026 \u2018what\u2019s next a drag show\u2019\u2026 they comments are insane. You are walking a very thin line with a large group of parents. I hope for some quick answers before this gets way blown up and viral.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lubinsky wrote that the comments about Walsh are \u201cpatently false.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lubinsky wrote that the letter \u201cwill serve as a cease and desist letter directing that you refrain from any further communications with Principal Walsh that state, imply or even
\nsuggest that Principal Walsh is engaging in \u2018grooming\u2019 and\/or \u2018disturbing\u2019 activities, or stating or implying that he is and\/or will be the next \u2018SP Pedo staff member.’\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter claims the comments are \u201cpatently false and highly defamatory\u201d and gave the parent notice that \u201ca civil cause of action for defamation exists under Wisconsin law against persons who make false and defamatory statements about another.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the lawyer\u2019s letter, in 2019, the School Board charged District Administration with forming a task force to deal with student behavior and bullying. One priority recommendation identified by that task force was \u201cPro-active Support of High Risk (LGBTQ),\u201d the letter says.<\/p>\n

According to the letter, the district identified \u201cLGBTQ and Gender-Inclusive Practices\u201d including, \u201c(1) lessons and resources; (2) developmentally appropriate and respectful vocabulary; and (3) practices to ensure an inclusive community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer told the parent that the district\u2019s vision is to be \u201ca high performing district of choice that reflects the cultures of the diverse community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe District, through its Equity Statement, Board Policies, District Policies, and the recommendations of the Task Force is unwavering in its commitment to provide proactive support for high risk students including the District\u2019s LGBTQIA+ students,\u201d the lawyer\u2019s letter says.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile you may personally disagree with curriculum and materials the District chooses to support this directive, your personal opinion will not impede the District\u2019s mission to inspire and prepare every child, every day, by providing relevant, engaging and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer wrote that the parent had \u201cconsistently and persistently questioned Principal
\nWalsh over curriculum that aligns and supports the directives outlined above. To be clear, Principal Walsh will no longer engage with you on this topic due to the nature of your communications.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter continues, \u201cThe District will not permit one of its staff members to be harassed, defamed, disparaged and insulted like you have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued the letter: \u201cYour recent communications toward Principal Walsh do not embody effective communication.\u201d The parent was told she could file a complaint if she objects to curriculum in the future.<\/p>\n

The lawyer said the curriculum was \u201cdistrict approved\u201d and is being implement \u201cat the District level. The curriculum has the support and approval of Principal Walsh\u2019s administrative supervisors.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the interview with Wisconsin Right Now, the parent, Ganske, said that she has been actively involved in combating bullying in the Sun Prairie School District after her daughter experienced bullying in middle school.<\/p>\n

She created a Facebook page of parents advocating against bullying and helped form a group of parents who went to School Board meetings \u201cto spread awareness of the severity of bullying in our community.\u201d Ganske also said she started creating \u201cbullying reports\u201d based on accounts from people in Sun Prairie who had experienced it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur group grew and grew,\u201d she said. \u201cWe even had t shirts made up and started attending the school board meetings in large groups.\u201d She said she was part of a bullying task force but became frustrated and had her daughter attend school virtually instead.<\/p>\n

Other news articles<\/a> featured her anti-bullying efforts.<\/p>\n

Ganske, a mother of four, grew up in Sun Prairie and both of her parents worked for years for the School District.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a single mom just really trying to raise good humans and keep values instilled in them,\u201d she told WRN. \u201cBut also am not naive to agendas being pushed that are not appropriate. In our home we teach kindness and about Jesus. My older daughter is a lesbian and we do not treat her differently nor is it made to me a show or mockery of her and her sexual preferences.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This post originally appeared at https:\/\/www.wisconsinrightnow.com\/sun-prairie-schools\/ A lawyer representing the Sun Prairie School District sent…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":596,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wi-right-now"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=594"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":599,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/594\/revisions\/599"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}