Scarlett Johnson with Moms for Liberty has uncovered a highly controversial gender policy at the School District of River Falls.
A formal gender diversity policy in the School District of River Falls is drawing national attention from parental rights advocates, who argue it prioritizes gender ideology over parental involvement and student privacy.
Scarlett Johnson with Moms for Liberty highlighted the River Falls policy in a social media post, describing it as “far more extreme” than informal accommodations in New Richmond.
The River Falls Board of Education approved Policy 411 – Rule 3, “Gender Diverse Students,” in 2023. The document, obtained from district records, defines “transgender” and “gender diverse” students and outlines accommodations for chosen names, pronouns, restrooms, locker rooms, showers, athletics, and extracurricular activities based on gender identity rather than biological sex.
The policy states that students may use facilities aligning with their gender identity and cannot be required to use separate or unisex options. It emphasizes supporting inclusion, safety, and privacy while noting that staff will encourage conversations with parents or guardians about a student’s gender status “if requested.” However, Johnson pointed out provisions allowing the superintendent to override parental consent in certain cases and stressed that many parents remain unaware of the policy’s existence.
Johnson cited a former high-level district source for details of the policy, arguing that parents “deserve transparency” about rules governing their children’s schools.
This discovery comes as the New Richmond School District faces intense backlash for allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identity. Parents and students packed board meetings starting in January 2026, voicing concerns over girls’ privacy and safety.
One student described anxiety and embarrassment leading her to avoid school restrooms altogether. The district’s stance, defended by legal counsel as compliant with federal law and court precedents, prompted the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to launch a Title IX investigation in March 2026. Federal officials are examining whether the practice violates protections for female students by permitting biological males in female facilities.
The New Richmond controversy has galvanized local conservatives, with Moms for Liberty and others pushing for biological-sex-based separations and greater parental notification. Board proposals to restrict facilities to biological sex have failed, heightening tensions in the community.
Advocates like Johnson view the River Falls policy as a cautionary example of how such rules can operate quietly while undermining parental rights.
