Filed Date: May 9, 1996
Closed Date: 1996
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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.
Summary Authors
Kaitlin Corkran (4/5/2008)
Rosenthal, Lee Hyman (Texas)
Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)
Jones, Gaynelle Griffin (Texas)
Leggott, Charles E. (District of Columbia)
Larry, Julius J. III (Texas)
Last updated March 23, 2025, 9:25 a.m.
State / Territory: Texas
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 9, 1996
Closing Date: 1996
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Spring Independent School District (Houston, Harris), School District
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Mixed
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1996 - 2001
Issues
Discrimination Area:
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):