Probable cause found in "Blurred Lines" sex discrimination case

MARSHFIELD —

A former Marshfield High School dance coach's sexual discrimination lawsuit against the district is moving forward.

An investigator for the Department of Workforce Development found there is probable cause the district discriminated against Lisa Joling when it fired her in 2013 after the dance team performed during half-time of a football game to "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke.

The district fired Joling for what it deemed exercising poor judgment for choosing the song, which critics say helps perpetuate misogynistic attitudes toward women.

At the time, then Superintendent Peg Geegan said Joling was fired "for appropriate reasons," but wouldn't comment on the matter further.

Joling filed a lawsuit in April with the state's Equal Rights Office of the Department of Workforce Development claiming she was discriminated against because she was a woman, and that male coaches in the district were not fired for playing similar music.

Witnesses claimed "Blurred Lines" was played multiple times at school-sanctioned functions following Joling's dismissal, but no action to discipline or terminate those involved took place.

"The disparate treatment of similarly situated males suggests ... the (district) violated the law," wrote Mathew White, equal rights officer with the Department of Workforce Development. "There is no reason to believe that members of the community would perceive an endorsement of the content of songs played by a female coach at a sporting event but not by a male coach at a sporting event or a DJ at a school dance."

A hearing will be held by an administrative law judge Wednesday, Jan. 14 in Wisconsin Rapids to determine whether the district indeed violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law when it fired Joling.

Joling, who at the time of her dismissal owned Universal Dance Academy, said her firing affected her business. She has since sold the business and moved out of state.

Prior to her termination, Joling had been a positive influence on the dance team, according to a performance review done by Nathan DeLany, the district's athletic director.

"My reputation was absolutely damaged when all of this came out," Joling said, adding that her termination left her with a lot of questions for the district, which remain unanswered.

"I'm sure more will come out at the hearing," Joling said. "I was left with a lot of questions, and I'm hoping I can get some answers to what actually happened. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this."

"The school district has engaged legal counsel and will be acting accordance to advice from legal counsel," said Dee Wells, superintendent of the Marshfield School District. "As this matter is currently going through legal proceedings, no further comments will be made at this time."

This story has been updated to include comment from the Marshfield School District.

Logan T. Carlson can be reached at 715-384-3131, ext. 328.