WILL Files Federal Title IX Lawsuit Against New Richmond School Policy

Lawsuit alleges district's gender identity and bathroom policies violate federal law

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:17pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, geometric shapes in shades of blue and purple, conceptually representing the motion and tension of the legal debate over transgender rights in schools.A legal battle over transgender bathroom access in schools sparks a fractured, abstract painting reflecting the heated debate.New Richmond Today

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of New Richmond Parents for Good Schools against the New Richmond school district over its policies regarding gender identity and bathroom access. The lawsuit claims the district's policies violate Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of a broader legal battle over transgender rights and bathroom access in schools across the country. The outcome could set an important precedent for how Title IX is interpreted and applied in cases involving gender identity policies in public schools.

The details

The lawsuit alleges the New Richmond school district's policies, which allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity, violate Title IX's prohibition on sex-based discrimination. WILL, a conservative legal group, argues the policies infringe on the privacy rights of cisgender students.

  • The lawsuit was filed on April 10, 2026.

The players

Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL)

A conservative legal organization that has filed numerous lawsuits challenging transgender rights policies in schools and other public institutions.

New Richmond Parents for Good Schools

A group of parents in New Richmond, Wisconsin who oppose the school district's gender identity and bathroom policies and are represented by WILL in the lawsuit.

New Richmond School District

The public school district in New Richmond, Wisconsin that has implemented policies allowing students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The school district's policies violate the privacy rights of students and conflict with federal law.”

— Luke Berg, Deputy Counsel, WILL

What’s next

The lawsuit will now proceed through the federal court system, with the potential for appeals and further legal battles over the interpretation of Title IX and transgender rights in schools.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing legal and political debates over transgender rights, particularly in the context of public schools and access to bathrooms and locker rooms. The outcome could have significant implications for how federal civil rights law is applied to gender identity issues in education.