On January 26, 1994, the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed a lawsuit under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. (Title VII), in the U.S. District Court for Western Louisiana against the School Board of Caddo Parish. The United States asked the court for injunctive relief, alleging that the defendant had violated Title VII by discriminating on the basis of sex.

On December 15, 1994, the Court (Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne) granted the DOJ's motion to bifurcate the issues of liability and individual relief for trial. United States v. School Board of Caddo Parish, 1994 WL 792659 (W.D. La. 1994).

On April 25, 1995, the court ruled on a discovery matter. United States v. School Board of Caddo Parish, 1995 WL 450984 (W.D. La. 1995). On July 10, 1995, the court rule on another discovery matter. United States v. School Board of Caddo Parish, 1995 WL 450988 (W.D. La. 1995).

On August 7, 1996, the court conditionally entered the settlement agreement and set the date for a fairness hearing. Any objections to the proposed settlement agreement were to be in writing and filed with the court no later than twenty (20) days prior to the fairness hearing. On October 4, 1996, the settlement agreement was signed by all parties and the court.

On November 19, 1997, the DOJ moved the court to consider objections to the proposed individual awards. After various objections were filed by individuals, the court held a hearing regarding the individual awards on March 26, 1998. On April 14, 1998, the court ruled on the various objections relating to the individual relief awards. The recommendation regarding the individual relief awards was revised, the interest accrued in the settlement fund was to be distributed to eligible claimants, and further requirements regarding the distribution of the individual awards were imposed.

On April 14, 1998, the case was closed.

Kaitlin Corkran - 04/08/2008


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