WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Wauwatosa School District, alleging the district’s decision to close the Wauwatosa STEM School and phase out other STEM programs is racially discriminatory.

According to a complaint filed with the Federal Department of Education on Friday, Dec. 13, the decision violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race.

The complaint alleges that district actions are motivated by the racial composition of STEM program participants, citing internal documents and public statements suggesting efforts to align program demographics with the district’s overall student population.

Michael Meier, a member of the school board, has voiced support for the investigation, criticizing the district’s focus on racial balancing over educational quality. In a press release issued by WILL, he said, "Students and families deserve a high-quality education, which is why I am speaking out. The prolonged, arbitrary DEI-driven focus on racial composition has, in my view, undermined both education and safety, now culminating in the push to close the WSTEM school."

WILL is asking the U.S. Department of Education to open a formal investigation into the district’s decision.