WINNECONNE, Wis–Newly-released documents obtained by WHBY News detail the nature of the “internal investigation” that led to the suspension and retirement of former Winneconne Area School District Adminstrator Peggy Larson.
According to the documents written by the von Briesen and Roper Law Firm, the investigation was spurred by comments made by Winneconne High School counselor Theresa Sonnleitner at the June 1st, 2026 school board meeting where she accused School Board President Kati Calewarts of going to the home of an 18-year old male student that wanted a preferred female name used at the previous weekend’s graduation ceremony………………….
Calewarts addressed the accusation that night…….
Following the meeting, Calewarts contracted with von Briesen and Roper to conduct an investigation into how Sonnleitner learned of the meeting with the parent. The investigation finds that Larson provided that information to Sonnleitner–and that constitutes a violation of the district’s code of ethics and the policies pertaining to student records. And that Larson provided information on a close session school board meeting to her supporters so that they would attend to address the board with their displeasure.
An addendum to the initial investigation report also found that Larson provided a copy of the engagement letter between the School Board and von Briesen and Roper to a Facebook user, Martin Brethouwer, outside of a freedom of information request filed with the district. Brethouwer is the listed treasurer of the recall effort targeting two school board members.
In her retirement notice to the school board, Larson admits only to releasing student information to a district health room aide, she claims that the release of the law firm letter was within the scope of the open records request, and denies telling people that the closed session meeting was about her employment with the district.
