Case: United States of America v. Caldwell Parish School Board

3:71-cv-16751 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana

Filed Date: May 11, 1971

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This school desegregation case was brought in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in 1971. The United States, as plaintiff, sued the Caldwell Parish School Board to enjoin the operation of a segregated school system. The case lasted until 2011 when the district court concluded that the school system had achieved unitary status. On May 11, 1971, the plaintiffs filed this action and by June 8, the parties had agreed to a desegregation plan. The district court (Judge Benj…

This school desegregation case was brought in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in 1971. The United States, as plaintiff, sued the Caldwell Parish School Board to enjoin the operation of a segregated school system. The case lasted until 2011 when the district court concluded that the school system had achieved unitary status.

On May 11, 1971, the plaintiffs filed this action and by June 8, the parties had agreed to a desegregation plan. The district court (Judge Benjamin Dawkins, Jr. and later Judge Thomas Stagg) remained involved through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, with the parties filing bi-annual reports on the school system's desegregation efforts. On August 5, 2002, the district court entered an additional consent decree -- this one covering extracurricular activities, special education and faculty hiring. The court also rezoned two areas of the school district to achieve the necessary racial balance at two elementary schools. After the decree, the Parish continued its filing of annual reports until 2011 when the parties began the process of moving for dismissal. On July 5, 2011, the district court (Chief Judge Robert James, who had been on the case since at least 2008) concluded that the Parish had achieved unitary status and was, as a matter of law, integrated.

Note: There are no published opinions in this case. The full docket and the declaration of unitary status are available as case docs.

Summary Authors

Greg Margolis (2/25/2017)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5055293/parties/u-s-a-v-caldwell-parish/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Carter, Geoffrey (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Duke, Carl B. Jr. (Louisiana)

Evans, Iley H. (Louisiana)

Guice, Jon K (Louisiana)

Hammonds, Robert L. (Louisiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

71-16571

Docket

Feb. 17, 2006

Feb. 17, 2006

Docket

3:71-cv-16751

Docket

United States of America v. Caldwell Parish

Aug. 4, 2011

Aug. 4, 2011

Docket
25

3:71-cv-16751

Agreed Order of Dismissal

July 5, 2011

July 5, 2011

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5055293/u-s-a-v-caldwell-parish/

Last updated Feb. 11, 2024, 3:02 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

PAPER DOCKET SHEET of filings through 2/17/06. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 02/17/2006)

Feb. 17, 2006

Feb. 17, 2006

2

MEMORANDUM ORDER: Upon review of this matter, the Court finds that there has been some apparent confusion about the School Board's reporting requirements. Accordingly, the Court, upon its own motion, hereby AMENDS the standing Decree and amendments stated in this memorandum order. Any party desiring a status conference to discuss the Court's amendment to the reporting requirements may file the appropriate motion. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 8/14/08. (crt,DickersonSealed, D)

1 Searchable Copy of Opinion

View on PACER

Aug. 14, 2008

Aug. 14, 2008

RECAP
3

MOTION for Robert L. Hammonds to Enroll as Counsel by School Board of Caldwell Parish. Motions referred to Karen L Hayes. (Attachments: # 1 Text of proposed order)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 08/27/2008)

Aug. 27, 2008

Aug. 27, 2008

4

ORDER granting 3 Motion to Enroll as Counsel. Added as counsel Robert L Hammonds for School Board of Caldwell Parish. Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen L Hayes on 8/28/08. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 08/28/2008)

Aug. 28, 2008

Aug. 28, 2008

5

ANNUAL REPORT by School Board of Caldwell Parish in response to 2 Memorandum Order. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 10/16/2008)

Oct. 15, 2008

Oct. 15, 2008

6

MINUTE ENTRY: re 5 Response (NOT Motions) filed by School Board of Caldwell Parish. The Court has reviewed the annual report filed in compliance with the Court's August 14, 2008 Order. Any party desiring a conference to discuss the status of the case or the steps for achieving unitary status may file the appropriate motion. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 11/3/08. (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 11/03/2008)

Nov. 3, 2008

Nov. 3, 2008

7

ANNUAL REPORT by School Board of Caldwell Parish in response to 2 Memorandum Order. (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 11/05/2009)

Nov. 5, 2009

Nov. 5, 2009

8

MINUTE ENTRY: Having reviewed the Annual Report 7 Response (NOT Motions) filed by School Board of Caldwell Parish, the Court is of the opinion that the parties should move toward unitary status and the termination of the litigation in this case. Therefore a status conference is hereby set for December 2, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. ( District Judge Status Conference set for 12/2/2009 at 1:00 PM in Monroe, 2nd floor before Chief Judge Robert G James). Signed by Chief Judge Robert G James on 11/5/09. (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 11/06/2009)

Nov. 6, 2009

Nov. 6, 2009

10

MAIL RETURNED as Undeliverable: Mail sent to Iley H Evans on behalf of School Board of Caldwell Parish, P O Box 840, Columbia, LA 71418, re: 9 Minute Entry, Set Hearings, returned marked: Return to Sender. Action taken: notice deactivated − unable to locate current contact information. (crt,Alexander, E) (Entered: 11/30/2009)

Nov. 20, 2009

Nov. 20, 2009

11

NOTICE of Appearance by Nicholas U Murphy on behalf of USA. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 12/14/2009)

Dec. 14, 2009

Dec. 14, 2009

12

MINUTES for proceedings held before Chief Judge Robert G James: STATUS CONFERENCE held on 12/14/2009. Following discussion with both parties, the Court finds it appropriate to ORDER, on its own motion, that the DOJ begin a unitary status review in this case. DOJ to file a Status Report due by 2/26/2010. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 12/14/2009)

Dec. 14, 2009

Dec. 14, 2009

13

MINUTE ENTRY: re 12 Status Conference. At the request of DO.J's counsel, the Court extends the deadline for submission of the status report to March 26, 2010. If the School Board wishes to file a memorandum in response to the DOJ status report, it should do so no later than fourteen (14) days from the date the DOJ status report is filed. Re−set Deadline. ( Status Report due by 3/26/2010). Signed by Chief Judge Robert G James on 2/2/10. (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 02/02/2010)

Feb. 2, 2010

Feb. 2, 2010

14

NOTICE of Attorney Waiver of Right to Receive Service of All Documents Including Entry of Final Judgment Under Fed.R.Civ.P 54(b) to Carl B Duke on behalf of School Board of Caldwell Parish. Case edited to disable notice for said counsel. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 02/11/2010)

Feb. 10, 2010

Feb. 10, 2010

15

STATUS REPORT by USA. (aty,Murphy, Nicholas) (Entered: 03/26/2010)

March 26, 2010

March 26, 2010

16

MINUTE ENTRY: re 15 Status Report filed by USA. The Court has reviewed the status report filed by the DOJ on March 26, 2010. The DOJ is ordered to file a status report with the Court by June 1, 2010, indicating the DOJ's findings, any proposed actions, whether the parties have reached agreement on any or all proposed actions, and whether the Caldwell Parish School Board ("School Board") opposes any of the DOJ's findings or recommended actions. If the School Board wishes to file a memorandum in response to the DOJ's status report, it should do so no later than fourteen (14) days from the date the status report is filed. ( Compliance Deadline set for 6/1/2010). Signed by Chief Judge Robert G James on 4/5/10. (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 04/05/2010)

April 5, 2010

April 5, 2010

17

STATUS REPORT by USA. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(aty,Murphy, Nicholas) (Entered: 06/01/2010)

June 1, 2010

June 1, 2010

18

MINUTE ENTRY: The Court has received and reviewed the status report submitted by the Dept of Justice on June 1, 2010. The Dept of Justice is ordered to file another status report due by 9/30/2010. If the School Board wishes to file a memorandum in response to the status report, it should do so no later than 14 days from the date of the filing of the status report. Signed by Chief Judge Robert G James on 06/03/10. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 06/03/2010)

June 3, 2010

June 3, 2010

19

STATUS REPORT 3rd Status Report by USA. (aty,Murphy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/30/2010)

Sept. 30, 2010

Sept. 30, 2010

20

MINUTE ENTRY: District Judge Telephone Status Conference set for 11/8/2010 at 10:30 AM before Chief Judge Robert G James. Counsel for the United States Department of Justice shall initiate the call and contact Chambers at (318)322−6230 when all counsel are present. Signed by Chief Judge Robert G James on 10/21/10. (crt,DickersonSld, D) Modified on 10/21/2010 to correct time to 10:30 A.M. (DickersonSld, D). (Entered: 10/21/2010)

Oct. 21, 2010

Oct. 21, 2010

Set/Reset Deadlines: Compliance Deadline set for 11/19/2010 for the School board to file its required annual report. (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 11/08/2010)

Nov. 8, 2010

Nov. 8, 2010

22

STATUS REPORT −Annual October 15th Report by School Board of Caldwell Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A−B)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 11/08/2010)

Nov. 8, 2010

Nov. 8, 2010

23

MINUTES for proceedings held before Chief Judge Robert G James: TELEPHONE STATUS CONFERENCE held on 6/13/2011. Mr. Murphy reported that after having conducted a site visit and having obtained information from the School Board, the DOJ is now prepared to work with the School Board to draft a joint motion for unitary status. Both the DOJ and the School anticipate that the motion will be filed by the end of the summer. In light of this information, the Courts set a deadline of September 7, 2011, for the parties to file a joint motion for unitary status or to file a status report if the motion is not completed by that time, ( Compliance Deadline set for 9/7/2011). (crt,DickersonSld, D) (Entered: 06/14/2011)

June 13, 2011

June 13, 2011

24

PROPOSED ORDER/JUDGMENT of Dismissal by USA, School Board of Caldwell Parish. (aty,Murphy, Nicholas) Modified to more accurately identify pleading and to add filer on 7/1/2011. (Alexander, E) (Entered: 06/30/2011)

June 30, 2011

June 30, 2011

NOTICE of Corrective Action to Nicholas U Murphy, II on behalf of School Board of Caldwell Parish, USA regarding 24 PROPOSED ORDER/JUDGMENT of Dismissal. Action taken: Modified text of entry to more accurately identify pleading is not a motion and to add filer. (crt,Alexander, E) (Entered: 07/01/2011)

June 30, 2011

June 30, 2011

25

AGREED ORDER OF DISMISSAL. The Court concludes that the Caldwell Parish School District has met the legal standards for a declaration of unitary status and is entitled to dismissal of this action. It is hereby ORDERED that all prior injunctions against the Caldwell Parish School District are DISSOLVED, jurisdiction is TERMINATED, and the case against the Caldwell Parish School District is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Signed by Chief Judge Robert G James on 07/05/11. (crt,Yocum, M)

1 Searchable Copy of Opinion

View on PACER

July 5, 2011

July 5, 2011

RECAP
26

MAIL RETURNED as Undeliverable: Mail sent to Geoffrey L J Carter, U S Dept of Justice Civil Rights Div (Penn Ave), 950 Pennsylvania Ave N W Rm 4034, Washington, DC 20530, re: 25 Order, returned marked: Return to Sender − Moved/Left No Address. Action taken: Unable to obtain current contact information. Set notice to no. (crt,Alexander, E) (Entered: 08/08/2011)

Aug. 4, 2011

Aug. 4, 2011

27

MAIL RETURNED as Undeliverable: Mail sent to Geoffrey L J Carter, U S Dept of Justice Civil Rights Div (Penn Ave), 950 Pennsylvania Ave N W Rm 4034, Washington, DC 20530 re: Notice of Corrective Action, returned marked: Return to Sender − Moved/Left No Address. Action taken: Unable to obtain current contact information. Set notice to no. (crt,Alexander, E) (Entered: 08/08/2011)

Aug. 4, 2011

Aug. 4, 2011

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

School Desegregation

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 11, 1971

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Caldwell Parish (Caldwell), School District

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title IV, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000c et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1971 - 2011

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Busing

Student assignment

Discrimination Prohibition

Monitor/Master

Issues

General:

Education

Racial segregation

School/University Facilities

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

Type of Facility:

Government-run