NEW ULM — The District 88 board heard from the public Thursday regarding recent news stories citing anti-gay comments made during New Ulm High School basketball games against an openly gay player on the St. Peter team.

In a Star Tribune article published March 11, a student the from St. Peter’s High School boys’ basketball team alleged anti-gay comments were made against him during January and February games with New Ulm.

At the Jan. 18 game, the comments were from teens in the New Ulm student section. At the Feb. 15 game, the anti-gay comments came from a player on the basketball team. The St. Peter player alleged the New Ulm player was also pinching him throughout the Feb. 15 game.

The Star Tribune article stated that during the March 8 game between the two teams, there were no verbal comments, but the player was pinched again by the same player.

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang addressed the incidents early in Thursday’s meeting. He said the school will continue to work with staff, students and parents regarding how we respect one another.

“We know we have work to do,” Bertrang said. “It’s not something that happens overnight.”

Bertrang reminded the board the last two years have been a difficult time. Students who were in third grade at the start of the pandemic are now in fifth grade. He said it was a transitioning process and the student will need to be retaught and staff retrained.

“We have a great school system, and we know we have work to do,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard and make sure everyone is valued.”

School Board student Rep. Brennna Thordson reported on the incident, giving a report on the March 15 assembly held at school addressing the allegations.

Thordson said several students spoke during the assembly and this included members of the LGBTQ+ community speaking out about ways they have been hurt at the school. She said several students left the assembly upset.

Thordson said Principal Mark Bergmann did respond to the LGBTQ+ students, hosting a meeting with between 20 to 30 students to discuss methods of resolving harassment. One method in the works is the “Safe School Form.” The idea is a student could fill out an online form obtain through a QR code to report incidents confidentially. Bergmann has also spoken with the student council to get more representation on the council in terms of LGTBQ+ and ethnic diversity.

“I’ve been going to New Ulm Public School for the last 11 years, and I have witnessed firsthand how teachers and administrators have encouraged respect and kindness from all ages up, but we can always do better,” Thordson said. “Because of this incident, our school is going to be a more safe and respectful environment.”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Lisa Fischer made a public statement addressing claims against her son that she described as false. She said during the Feb. 15 basketball game in St. Peter, her son said to a teammate while subbing out of the game that “I got the gay kid.”

Fischer said he said this to his teammates, not the St. Peter player who is openly gay. She said a full investigation into the incident was confirmed by the officials, St. Peter athletic director and those at the score table.

“There was not harassment as the media is claiming, there was no attacking of the player with an anti-gay comment as the media is claiming,” Fischer said. “He said ‘I got the gay kid.’ Our athletic director reviewed the Minnesota State High School League Code of Conduct, and this incident did not fit the criteria for anything because there was no harassment.”

Fischer said the Friday, March 11 article in the Star Tribune was full of misconceptions and untruths. Her son using slurs was not accurate because she believed saying “I got the gay kid” is not a slur.

“That is not a hateful comment or a slur,” Fischer said. “It was not even directly said to the player. There is no malicious intent for saying who he is guarding.”

Fischer said she is worried about the safety of her son because of harassment shown against him. She said a woman verbally confronted her son after the March 12 game with Mankato West.

“Our son was put on trial by the media,” she said. “Facts matter, both sides matter. We as a community need to do better for our kids.”

Paul Platz also spoke on the allegations, defending the New Ulm player for the comment. He believed it was a way of identifying who he was guarding.

“Perhaps the player coming off the court could have chosen better words,” Platz said. “So what? Apparently, the St. Peter player had came out as gay early to all his teammates. So the player is indeed gay, what untruth was spoken here?”

Platz volunteered that his son is gay, and when he came out it caused a wide range of emotions with his family.

“Our hearts go out to the St. Peter player and his family,” Platz said. “The situation is difficult for homosexual individuals and their families. I share this with you so you don’t review my remarks in a negative light. I will say that it was the St. Peter’s player’s choice to come out, and once out there is no going back.”

Platz said he called his son and asked if being identified as gay was offensive and his son said it depended on the intent. Platz believed it was wrong to assume the intent of the New Ulm player.

Platz was also concerned this incident would push the school to double-down critical race theory or equity education.

Others spoke to the board in favor of continuing equity training. Tom Polich spoke to the board, identifying himself as a parent and former student of District 88. Polich said he was embarrassed and disappointed because he hoped the things that happened in St. Peter were being handled better than when he went to school.

Polich said he and his friends faced bullying at the district, but when reported nothing was done.

“There are no acceptable excuses in my book,” he said. “This was not an isolated incident. It happened over multiple games and it happens often in the hallways of our school. This isn’t the media blowing things out of proportion about one or two bad decisions amongst a few people.”

He believed it was an example of harassment in the school. Polich understood it was impossible to get rid of all bullying, but believed the district wanted to change. He encouraged the board to become allies and make the changes they should have 20 years ago.

Casey McMullen expressed her support for the diversity, equity and inclusion work that the board has engaged in over the last few months. She said the recent events emphasized how crucial the work is for the students. She applauded the board for taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.