include a thorough evaluation of the district’s anti-harassment policies and procedures, and tailored actions to improve the school climate and enhance the training of staff and students.

The agreement specifically provides that teachers may affirm the dignity and self-worth of students and any protected characteristics of students, such as being LGBT, without running afoul of any district policy. Under the agreement, the six students will also receive a total of $270,000.

“This historic agreement marks a fresh start for the Anoka-Hennepin School District,” said Sam Wolfe, an attorney for the SPLC’s LGBTQ Project. “Unfortunately, this district had become notorious for anti-LGBTQ hostility and discrimination. This consent decree sets the stage for Anoka-Hennepin to become a model for other school districts to follow in creating more respectful learning environments for all students in a thoughtful, systemic, and proactive way.”

Dylon Frei, one of the plaintiffs in the case, said: “No one should have to go through the kind of harassment that I did. I am happy this agreement includes real changes that will make our schools safer and more welcoming for other kids.”

Said NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter: “This is an important step toward making LGBTQ and gender non-conforming students feel safe and welcome in district schools. The district has committed to a detailed long-term plan to prevent and address harassment, as well as ongoing review of its implementation of the plan by federal agencies. Along with the district’s repeal last month of its harmful and stigmatizing Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy, which prevented teachers from effectively responding to harassment, this agreement points the way toward a better future for LGBTQ students in the district.”

“We are so proud of these brave kids who stepped forward and made their voices heard,” said Celeste Culberth of Culberth & Lienemann. “They have helped set a course today that will benefit children in this district for years to come and they have much to celebrate.”

Mike Ponto, lead attorney on the case for Faegre Baker Daniels added: “Through their bravery in stepping forward, our clients have helped to bring about a settlement which not only promises to improve the lives of students in Anoka-Hennepin, but also sets an example nationwide. These kids and their families are heroes. They have turned adversity into opportunity and in doing so they truly can take credit for helping to make the world a better place.”

 The primary purpose of the consent decree is to address and prevent sex-based and sexual-orientation-based harassment. Under the terms of the consent decree, the district is required to:

• Retain the Great Lakes Equity Center, an equity assistance center based at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to provide a comprehensive, systemic review and recommend revisions to district policies and practices related to sex and sexual-orientation related harassment.
• Fully investigate reports of harassment; escalate remedial efforts through additional measures when students are harassed on a repeated basis; and mitigate the effects of harassment that occurs.
• Take proactive measures to address the hostile environment.
• Develop procedures for parental notification while maintaining sensitivity to a student’s right of privacy relating to their real or perceived orientation or gender identity.
• Hire a district-level, harassment-prevention official who will help lead the district’s efforts to “eliminate and prevent future instances of harassment in its education programs and activities.” This official will be referred to as a Title IX/Equity Coordinator who will ensure the district complies with its legal obligations to protect students from harassment; implement district policies and procedures relating to sex and sexual-orientation based harassment; monitor all complaints of such discrimination and harassment; identify trends or common areas of concern related to compliance; and coordinate between and among school and district staff, students, and parents related to addressing and preventing harassment.
• Work with the Equity Center, Title IX /Equity Coordinator to develop improved and effective trainings, consistent with best practices, on harassment for all students and employees who interact with students.
• Ensure that a counselor or other qualified mental health professional to be available during school hours for students in need.
• Hire a mental health consultant to review and assess current practices in the district relating to assisting students who are subject to harassment.
• Strengthen its annual anti-bullying survey.
• Enhance a recently formed harassment-prevention task force to advise the district regarding how to best foster a positive educational climate.
• Work with the Equity Center to identify hot spots in district schools where harassment is most problematic, including outdoor locations and on school buses, and work with the equity consultant to develop corrective actions.