Title IX complaint filed against New Berlin School District over athletic facilities
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Todd Hicks reports Video by tmj4.com
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NEW BERLIN- Are girls' sports facilities in New Berlin inferior to boys'?
A complaint has been filed with the federal government, saying the athletic facilities violate Title IX.
That federal complaint was filed after parents said the boys are given far superior facilities to train at for the swim and dive clubs.
A situation they claim is discriminatory.
Russ Bellford's daughter and her friends have swim club practice at New Berlin Eisenhower. He claims the practice facility for boys is much nicer, and the boys have better equipment too.
It's the reason he and 41 other people filed a federal Title IX complaint against the New Berlin School District.
"The money always seems to run out when it's time to address the girls' needs. I find that incredible," said Bellford.
Bellford told TODAY'S TMJ4 it would take $310,000 to improve the girls' swimming pool. The swim club's even offered to pay for half of that -- but says his e-mails and phone calls have been largely ignored.
Bellford said he's frustrated because when the boys' football team needed an upgrade, it was taken care of.
"Two financially identical projects cost $300,000 to improve -- the boys football facility it gets built," said Bellford.
New Berlin School District Superintendent Joe Garza said the district is reviewing the complaint with attorneys, but flat out denies any sort of discrimination.
"We do try to provide the best opportunities and facilities for all of our students. Not only for swimming but across the board," said Garza.
TODAY'S TMJ4 has been told the Office for Civil Rights is looking into the complaint, and whether to move forward with the investigation. That could take a couple of weeks.
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