Case: Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independant School District

4:14-cv-00715 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2014

Closed Date: Feb. 25, 2015

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is about a Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency’s access authority. On August 28, 2014, Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against Mansfield Independent School District (MISD). Plaintiff alleged that defendant violated the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act), the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI Act), and the Protection and Advocacy of Ind…

This case is about a Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency’s access authority.

On August 28, 2014, Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against Mansfield Independent School District (MISD). Plaintiff alleged that defendant violated the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act), the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI Act), and the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Act (PAIR Act) when they refused to provide the contact information for parents and guardians of MISD elementary school students. Judge John H. McBryde presided over this matter. 

This lawsuit began when plaintiff heard of media complaints regarding the use of “calm/blue rooms” in a defendant elementary school classroom, which are used when staff determine that a student’s behavior warrants removing them from the classroom. Based on the media complaints and subsequent determination of probable cause, plaintiff began a full investigation of defendant, requesting the contact information of the parents or guardians of students in that particular classroom. Defendant repeatedly refused to provide access to that information, claiming confidentiality under FERPA and IDEA. On August 28, 2014, plaintiff filed for injunctive and declaratory relief in order to gain access to the requested records.

On February 2, 2015, the parties filed a joint report on settlement discussions to notify the Court they were able to reach a settlement agreement, and on February 26, 2015, the parties filed a joint motion to dismiss. The terms of the settlement are unknown to the Clearinghouse at this time. 

The case is now closed. 

Summary Authors

NDRN (7/5/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4391281/parties/disability-rights-texas-v-mansfield-independent-school-district/


Judge(s)

McBryde, John H. (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Elbe, Colleen Marie (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Abernathy, Richard M (Texas)

Crawford, Charles J (Texas)

McGowan, Marianna M (Texas)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
4

4:14-cv-00715

Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Order/Opinion
1

4:14-cv-00715

Plaintiff's Original Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Complaint
5

4:14-cv-00715

Standing Order

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Order/Opinion
3

4:14-cv-00715

Appendix in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Other
6

4:14-cv-00715

Certificate of Interested Persons

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

Other
8

4:14-cv-00715

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

Other
10

4:14-cv-00715

Certificate of Interested Persons

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Sept. 4, 2014

Sept. 4, 2014

Other
9

4:14-cv-00715

Order

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Sept. 4, 2014

Sept. 4, 2014

Order/Opinion
11

4:14-cv-00715

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Sept. 10, 2014

Sept. 10, 2014

Other
12

4:14-cv-00715

Order

Disability Rights Texas v. Mansfield Independent School District

Sept. 10, 2014

Sept. 10, 2014

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4391281/disability-rights-texas-v-mansfield-independent-school-district/

Last updated Aug. 6, 2025, 10:58 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Disability Rights Texas. (Filing fee $400; Receipt number 0539-6258820) Plaintiff will submit summons(es) for issuance. In each Notice of Electronic Filing, the judge assignment is indicated, and a link to the Judges Copy Requirements is provided. The court reminds the filer that any required copy of this and future documents must be delivered to the judge, in the manner prescribed, within three business days of filing. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Sheet) (Mitchell, Elise) (Entered: 08/28/2014)

1 Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Injunction and Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof filed by Disability Rights Texas with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Mitchell, Elise) (Entered: 08/28/2014)

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

PACER
3

Appendix in Support filed by Disability Rights Texas re 2 MOTION for Injunction and Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof (Mitchell, Elise) (Entered: 08/28/2014)

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Clearinghouse
4

New Case Notes: A filing fee has been paid. File to Judge McBryde. Pursuant to Misc. Order 6, Plaintiff is provided the Notice of Right to Consent to Proceed Before A U.S. Magistrate Judge. Clerk to provide copy to plaintiff if not received electronically. (mpw) (Entered: 08/29/2014)

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Clearinghouse
5

Standing ORDER Concerning Paper Filing in Cases Assigned to District Judge John McBryde...see order for specifics. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 8/28/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 08/29/2014)

Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:4, 5. Fri Aug 29 09:19:11 CDT 2014 (crt)

Aug. 29, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

PACER
6

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Disability Rights Texas. (npk) (Entered: 09/02/2014)

Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

Clearinghouse
7

Summons Issued as to Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas. (Attachments: # 1 Additional Page(s)) (npk) (Entered: 09/02/2014)

1 Additional Page(s)

View on PACER

Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

PACER
8

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice with Certificate of Good Standing for Attorney Constance R Wannamaker filed by Disability Rights Texas. (mpw) (Entered: 09/03/2014)

Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

Clearinghouse
9

ORDER denying 8 Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Constance Wannamaker. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 9/4/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 09/04/2014)

Sept. 4, 2014

Sept. 4, 2014

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:9. Thu Sep 4 13:44:14 CDT 2014 (crt)

Sept. 4, 2014

Sept. 4, 2014

PACER
10

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by Disability Rights Texas. (mpw) (Entered: 09/04/2014)

Sept. 4, 2014

Sept. 4, 2014

Clearinghouse
11

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice with Certificate of Good Standing for Attorney Constance R Wannamaker (Filing fee $25; Receipt number FW022623) filed by Disability Rights Texas. (original Certificate of Good Standing already on file) (mpw) (Entered: 09/10/2014)

Sept. 10, 2014

Sept. 10, 2014

Clearinghouse
12

ORDER granting 11 Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Constance Wannamaker. If not already done, Applicant must register as an ECF User within 14 days (LR 5.1(f)). (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 9/10/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 09/10/2014)

Sept. 10, 2014

Sept. 10, 2014

Clearinghouse
13

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas; served on 9/8/2014. (mpw) (Entered: 09/16/2014)

Sept. 16, 2014

Sept. 16, 2014

PACER
14

MOTION to Dismiss filed by Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (mpw) (Entered: 09/25/2014)

Sept. 25, 2014

Sept. 25, 2014

PACER
15

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas. (mpw) (Entered: 09/25/2014)

Sept. 25, 2014

Sept. 25, 2014

PACER
16

MOTION for Leave to Proceed Without Local Counsel filed by Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas. (mpw) (Entered: 09/25/2014)

Sept. 25, 2014

Sept. 25, 2014

PACER
17

ORDER granting 16 Motion to proceed without local counsel. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 9/25/2014) (ewd) (Entered: 09/25/2014)

Sept. 25, 2014

Sept. 25, 2014

PACER
18

RESPONSE filed by Disability Rights Texas re: 14 MOTION to Dismiss. (mpw) (Entered: 10/17/2014)

Oct. 16, 2014

Oct. 16, 2014

PACER
19

REPLY filed by Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas re: 14 MOTION to Dismiss. (mpw) (Entered: 10/30/2014)

Oct. 30, 2014

Oct. 30, 2014

PACER
20

ORDER:The court ORDERS that by 2:00p.m. on November 14, 2014, plaintiff, Disability Rights Texas, file a memorandum prepared in accordance with the instructions given during such telephone conference providing all authorities and arguments that exist on the subjects discussed during such telephone conference. The court further ORDERS that by 2:00p.m. on November 19, 2014, defendants, Mansfield Independent School District and Dr. Jim Vaszauskas, file a responsive memorandum that will provide all authorities and arguments they have pertinent to the subjects discussed during such telephone conference as well as providing a response to the memorandum plaintiff is to file on November 14, 2014. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 11/10/2014) (ewd) (Entered: 11/10/2014)

Nov. 10, 2014

Nov. 10, 2014

PACER
21

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge John McBryde: Telephone Conference held on 11/10/2014. Telephone conference discussing defendants' motion to dismiss. The court sought clarification as to what type of entity plaintiff is. Plaintiff is to file, by 2:00p.m. November 7, 2014, a document describing plaintiff entity. Attorney Appearances: Plaintiff - Colleen Marie Elbe, Constance Wannamaker, Elise Mitchell; Defense - Charles Crawford, Ross Wells. (Court Reporter: Debbie Saenz) (No exhibits) Time in Court - :23. (mpw) (Entered: 11/13/2014)

Nov. 10, 2014

Nov. 10, 2014

PACER
22

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Memorandum Regarding Plaintiff's Organizational Status filed by Disability Rights Texas. (mpw) (Entered: 11/14/2014)

Nov. 14, 2014

Nov. 14, 2014

PACER
23

ORDER granting 22 Motion for Extension of Time to File Memorandum Regarding Plaintiff's Organizational Status. (see order for specifics) (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 11/14/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 11/14/2014)

Nov. 14, 2014

Nov. 14, 2014

PACER
24

***UNFILED PER 26 ORDER*** Memorandum of Its Organizational Status filed by Disability Rights Texas. (mpw) (Entered: 11/17/2014)

Nov. 17, 2014

Nov. 17, 2014

PACER
25

***UNFILED PER 26 ORDER*** Appendix in Support filed by Disability Rights Texas re 24 Memorandum of Its Organizational Status. (mpw) (Entered: 11/17/2014)

Nov. 17, 2014

Nov. 17, 2014

PACER
26

Order Unfiling 24 Memorandum of Its Organizational Status and 25 Appendix in Support filed by Disability Rights Texas due to the following deficiency: The documents do not fully comply with the court's requirements. See Status Report order and the court's Standing Order. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 11/20/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 11/21/2014)

Nov. 20, 2014

Nov. 20, 2014

PACER
27

RESPONSE filed by Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas re: 24 Memorandum of Its Organizational Status. (mpw) (Entered: 11/24/2014)

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

PACER
28

MOTION for Leave to Re-file Plaintiff's Memorandum of Its Organizational Status and Appendix filed by Disability Rights Texas. (mpw) (Entered: 11/24/2014)

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

PACER
29

ORDER granting 28 Motion for Leave to Re-File Memorandum of Organizational Status and Appendix. (Unless the document has already been filed, clerk to enter the document as of the date of this order.) (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 11/24/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 11/25/2014)

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

PACER
30

Memorandum on its Organizational Status filed by Disability Rights Texas. (mpw) (Entered: 11/25/2014)

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

Clearinghouse
31

Exhibits to 30 Memorandum on its Organizational Status filed by Disability Rights Texas. (Attachments: # 1 Additional Page(s)) (mpw) (Entered: 11/25/2014)

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

PACER
32

ORDER: Telephone Conference re: 14 MOTION to Dismiss set for 12/10/2014 at 10:30 AM before Judge John McBryde. (see order for specifics) (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 12/9/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 12/09/2014)

Dec. 9, 2014

Dec. 9, 2014

PACER
33

ORDER... The court ORDERS that by January 12, 2015, the parties and their respective lead counsel shall meet face-to-face to discuss settlement of this action. The court further ORDERS that by 4:00 p.m. on January 13, 2015, plaintiff file with the court a report, signed by counsel for all parties, informing the court of the date when the settlement conference was conducted, the time devoted to the conference, the identities by name and the title or job position of everyone who participated in the conference, and the outcome of the settlement conference. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 12/10/2014) (wxc) (Entered: 12/10/2014)

Dec. 10, 2014

Dec. 10, 2014

PACER
34

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge John McBryde: Telephone Conference held on 12/10/2014. Telephone conference discussing defendants' motion to dismiss. Parties will have a settlement conference to attempt to resolve the case. See order for specifics. Hearing concluded. Attorney Appearances: Plaintiff - Colleen Elbe, Constance Wannamaker, Beth Mitchell; Defense - Charles Crawford, Ross Wells. (Court Reporter: Debbie Saenz) (No exhibits) Time in Court - 1:16. (mpw) (Entered: 12/10/2014)

Dec. 10, 2014

Dec. 10, 2014

PACER
35

Plaintiff's Unopposed Motion to Supplement the Record filed by Disability Rights Texas (wxc) (Entered: 12/15/2014)

Dec. 12, 2014

Dec. 12, 2014

PACER
36

ORDER granting 35 Plaintiff's Unopposed Motion to Supplement the Record. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 12/16/2014) (mpw) (Entered: 12/16/2014)

Dec. 16, 2014

Dec. 16, 2014

PACER
37

Joint Report to the Court on Face to Face Settlement Conference filed by Disability Rights Texas, Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas. (mpw) (Entered: 01/13/2015)

Jan. 13, 2015

Jan. 13, 2015

PACER
38

ORDER: The court ORDERS that by 4:00 p.m. on February 4, 2015, the parties file a joint report regarding the status of this action and prospects for settlement. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 1/14/2015) (mpw) (Entered: 01/14/2015)

Jan. 14, 2015

Jan. 14, 2015

PACER
39

JOINT REPORT on Settlement Discussions filed by Disability Rights Texas, Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas. (mpw) (Entered: 02/05/2015)

Feb. 4, 2015

Feb. 4, 2015

Clearinghouse
40

Joint MOTION to Dismiss with Prejudice filed by Disability Rights Texas, Mansfield Independent School District, Jim Vaszauskas. (mpw) (Entered: 02/26/2015)

Feb. 26, 2015

Feb. 26, 2015

RECAP
41

FINAL JUDGMENT: The court ORDERS, ADJUDGES, and DECREES that all claims and causes of action asserted by plaintiff against defendants in the. above-captioned action be, and are hereby, dismissed with prejudice. (Ordered by Judge John McBryde on 2/26/2015) (mpw) (Entered: 02/26/2015)

Feb. 26, 2015

Feb. 26, 2015

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 28, 2014

Closing Date: Feb. 25, 2015

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Texas P&A

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Mansfield Indep School Dist, School District

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 15001 et seq.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Act, 42 U.S.C. § 10801

Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR), 29 U.S.C. § 794e

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Declaratory Judgment

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Disability, unspecified

P&A access authority