Filed Date: Feb. 15, 1996
Closed Date: 1997
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On February 15, 1996, parents, as next friends of their minor daughters, filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District Of Oklahoma against Owasso Public Schools ("OPS") and individual District employees. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and attorneys from the National Women's Law Center, claimed that OPS had violated Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by denying female students an equal opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics.
Specifically, plaintiffs claimed that OPS had intentionally discriminated against female OPS students based solely on their gender in the scheduling of games and practice times; the provision of equipment, lockers rooms for both practice and competition, opportunity to receive qualified coaching, publicity and supplies; and the assignment and compensation of coaches. The plaintiffs also sought compensatory damages in their individual capacities.
Plaintiffs' motion for class certification was granted by the Court (Judge Terence C. Kern) on June 28, 1996.
On October 2, 1996, the Court (Judge Kern) entered a consent decree terminating the case and setting out the agreements reached regarding OPS's sports programs' availability to female students. Specifically, OPS was obligated to survey female students, urge female teams' coaches to play the maximum number of games permitted, and to engage in consistent efforts to provide intramural opportunities for 7th and 8th grade students. Finally, OPS was required to comply with various requirements related to budget and expenditures; coaches; equipment and supplies; facilities, including weight facilities; grievance procedures; policies, including maintenance of records related to compliance; publicity and support organizations; scheduling of games and practice times; Title IX personnel training; travel; and uniforms.
On November 22, 1996, the parties jointly agreed to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice. On May 21, 1997, the Court (Judge Kern) awarded plaintiffs $32,941 in attorney's fees and costs. On August 16, 1999, OPS tendered a report in support of its compliance with the consent decree, detailing OPS's obligations and related compliance.
The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Heather Turner (5/29/2014)
Kern, Terence C. (Oklahoma)
Appelbaum, Judith C. (District of Columbia)
Brake, Deborah (District of Columbia)
Long, Karen Lea (Oklahoma)
Mann, J Douglas (Oklahoma)
Last updated May 5, 2024, 3:02 a.m.
State / Territory: Oklahoma
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 15, 1996
Closing Date: 1997
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Parents, as next friends of their minor daughters, and on behalf of all those similarly situated.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Owasso Independent School District (Owasso, Tulsa), School District
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention
Goals (e.g., for hiring, admissions)
Amount Defendant Pays: $32,941
Order Duration: 1996 - None
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Sex/Gender(s):