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Notification of Certain Alleged Misconduct

2025 Wisconsin Act 57: Notice to Families Regarding Certain Alleged Misconduct

The Appleton Area School District is committed to student safety and to responding appropriately to reports of concerning conduct. These requirements are intended to ensure that families are informed when Wisconsin law requires notification.

2025 Wisconsin Act 57 requires school districts to notify parents and guardians when the District receives certain reports involving alleged misconduct affecting a student.

Under Wis. Stat. § 118.07(6)(a), if a report is received alleging any of the following conduct and the appropriate school official determines there is reasonable cause to suspect that the alleged conduct occurred, the school district must notify the parent or guardian of each student alleged to be a victim, target, or recipient of the conduct:

  • Sexual misconduct by a school staff member, as defined by Wisconsin law.
  • Conduct involving an individual who has been convicted of a serious child sex offense and is alleged to have engaged in certain employment or volunteer activities involving children.
  • Conduct involving a sex offender who is alleged to have intentionally captured a representation of a minor student without the written consent of the student's parent or guardian.

When required, notification will be provided in person or by telephone, including voicemail, within the timelines established by Wisconsin law:

  • If the report is received on a school day before the end of regularly scheduled instruction, notification must be provided by 5 p.m. that day.
  • If the report is received after the end of regularly scheduled instruction on a school day, or on a day that is not a school day, notification must be provided by noon of the next calendar day.

The law specifies which school district employees are considered to have received a report for purposes of these notification requirements, including certain licensed school employees and the District's designated Title IX coordinator.

These notification requirements do not apply when the report alleges that the conduct was committed by the student's parent or guardian.

Statutory authority: Wis. Stat. § 118.07(6), as created by 2025 Wisconsin Act 57.