On May 9, 1996, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e et seq., in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against the Spring Independent School District. The DOJ sought injunctive and compensatory relief alleging that the defendant discriminated against a grounds crew worker in the school district's maintenance department because of his race.

On the same day, the court entered a consent decree. The general provisions of the consent decree provided: (1) the defendant shall not engage in any act or practice that has the purpose or effect of unlawfully discriminating against any employee in any term or condition of employee because of such person's race, and (2) the defendant agrees not to retaliate against any person because that person has opposed allegedly discriminatory policies or practice, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in this case. The defendant was required to institute and carried out policies and practices with the purpose of guaranteeing a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race in its maintenance department. The defendant also agreed to provide training to maintenance department employees on racial discrimination, including harassment, and how to avoid racial discrimination and harassment. The individual employee against whom the defendant discriminated was awarded monetary damages. The decree further provided that the court retain jurisdiction for its duration.

This case was closed on May 9, 1996.

Kaitlin Corkran - 04/05/2008


compress summary