The Winneconne Community School District has released documents detailing an internal investigation into the secret social transition of a recent Winneconne High School graduate that led to the sudden resignation of longtime District Administrator Peggy Larson.
The records, released to Fox 11 following a Sept. 22 public records request, say Larson divulged information about a student’s decision to use a non-legal name tied to gender identity at graduation. Investigators concluded the board should consider termination or nonrenewal. Larson instead retired. Her retirement took effect Friday after the board accepted it on a 4-2 vote Sept. 30. She had worked for the district for 31 years and was placed on paid leave in August.
According to the investigation, Larson called Board President Kati Calewarts on May 27 to say a student would use a non-legal name at graduation and then shared that information with the rest of the board. A counselor later said the student would be called by the requested name and would receive two diplomas, one with the legal name and one with the requested name.
The student’s mother objected in a May 29 email, writing that the school was “100 percent to blame” and that she would contact a lawyer and Moms for Liberty. Calewarts visited the parent’s home that day. The student later chose to be called by the legal name at the May 31 graduation.
On June 1, health room aide Kimberley Zeller raised the matter in public comment and questioned whether Calewarts’ home visit violated student privacy rules. Investigators determined that Larson was the source of the information Zeller used. Larson said she shared limited information with the aide out of concern for the student and because she believed the employee had a legitimate educational interest under federal privacy law. She disputed the finding that the disclosure was improper.
Investigators also said Larson failed to keep confidential information private, did not model professional and ethical behavior, and acted in ways that could advance private interests. An addendum said she disclosed information about a July 13 closed session and provided a law-firm engagement letter outside the open records process, actions the report characterized as intended to embarrass a board member. Larson denied disclosing closed-session content, said she only stated the meeting was not about her, and rejected any claim that she acted for political purposes or to humiliate anyone.
In a statement released last week through her attorneys, Larson said she disagrees with the investigation and its conclusions. “Those conclusions do not reflect Peggy’s understanding of the events or the values that have guided her throughout her career,” the statement said. She also said a public dispute would not serve students or the community.
The Heartland Post first reported why Larson left, noting that the investigation was tied to the yearslong social transition of a recent graduate against the parents’ wishes. The outlet reported that the student, then a sophomore, told his parents in 2023 that he believed he was a girl. The parents said they disapproved, but the school began using a female name and pronouns without notifying them. Larson told them the district was following procedure because of concern the student could face ostracism or abuse at home.
The parents later learned of the name change through school correspondence, the outlet reported. Near graduation, the family was told the student would receive two diplomas and could choose which name was read. The student used the birth name at the ceremony but received both diplomas, according to the Heartland Post.
The Heartland Post also reported exclusively that a second family alleged Winneconne High School secretly socially transitioned their child. That family said officials referred to their daughter by a male name and used male pronouns, first without telling them and later against their explicit wishes. The outlet reported the student, who graduated several years ago, received awards and was listed in school productions under a male name, and that parents said communication from the school stopped after they opposed the social transition. The Heartland Post reported the former student no longer identifies as male.
Recall petitions against Calewarts and Vice President Dean Ackmann were rejected by board clerk Kari Flagg, who said organizers did not properly file campaign paperwork with her. Organizers have called the decision biased and said they would challenge it. The board voted Monday to begin a search for an interim administrator.
