Case: McKinleyville Union School District v. U.S. Department of Education

1:25-cv-09105 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Oct. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case concerns the Department of Education’s (DOE) refusal to continue to provide grant funding used by a rural California school district to provide mental health support to hundreds of students. On October 22, 2025, the McKinleyville Union School District filed suit in the United States District Court in the Northern District of California against the U.S. Department of Education. The Defendant previously issued McKinleyville a five-year grant under DOE’s School-Based Mental Health Servic…

This case concerns the Department of Education’s (DOE) refusal to continue to provide grant funding used by a rural California school district to provide mental health support to hundreds of students.

On October 22, 2025, the McKinleyville Union School District filed suit in the United States District Court in the Northern District of California against the U.S. Department of Education. The Defendant previously issued McKinleyville a five-year grant under DOE’s School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (“Grant Program”), enabling McKinleyville to provide mental health support to hundreds of students in rural schools in Humboldt County, California. Under the regulations governing the Grant Program, Defendants may consider only grantee performance when evaluating whether to continue to fund a grant. In their complaint Plaintiff alleged, through private counsel, that the DOE, in direct violation of Congress’s statutory directives and DOE’s own established processes and without any consideration of McKinleyville’s performance under the grant, announced just four months into the award period that they would not continue McKinleyville’s funding beyond one year. The Plaintiff argued that the DOE’s cancellation violated the APA because it was arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, and that the DOE's actions violated the Due Process Clause, the Spending Clause, and the Separation of Powers doctrine. The Plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief – including asking the Court to enjoin the DOE from discontinuing the relevant grant funding without following proper procedure.

This case was assigned to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

On November 20, 2025, the plaintiff filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. The plaintiff emphasized that the loss of grant money will cause irreparable harm, leading to immediate staff layoffs and the disruption of vital programs that address severe student mental health crises. The plaintiff requested that the Court preserve the status quo by preventing the DOE from implementing the cut or recompeting the grant funds until the case is decided on the merits.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Sofia Yoder (11/29/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71727525/parties/mckinleyville-union-school-district-v-us-department-of-education/


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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-09105

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Complaint
1

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Complaint
19

1:25-cv-09105

Plaintiff's Notice of Motion and Motion for a Preliminary Injunction

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71727525/mckinleyville-union-school-district-v-us-department-of-education/

Last updated Dec. 24, 2025, 1:57 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against Linda McMahon, U.S. Department of Education ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number ACANDC-21269182.). Injunction against the US government/official or APA vacatur requested. Filed by McKinleyville Union School District. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G)(Wiener, David) (Filed on 10/22/2025) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

2 Exhibit B

View on PACER

3 Exhibit C

View on PACER

4 Exhibit D

View on PACER

5 Exhibit E

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit F

View on PACER

7 Exhibit G

View on PACER

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

Proposed Summons. (Wiener, David) (Filed on 10/22/2025) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

3

Case assigned to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening.Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. (mbc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

~Util - Case Assigned by Intake

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

Notice of Appearance/Substitution/Change/Withdrawal of Attorney

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

4

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Dan Edward Marmalefsky on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Marmalefsky, Dan) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

5

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Michelle Sosa-Acosta on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Sosa-Acosta, Michelle) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

6

NOTICE of Appearance filed by James K Murray on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Murray, James) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

7

Summons Issued as to Linda McMahon, U.S. Department of Education. (ark, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

8

Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: Case Management Statement due by 1/19/2026. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/26/2026 02:00 PM in Oakland, - Videoconference Only. (ark, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

9

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Amelia Piazza on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Piazza, Amelia) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

10

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Mark Dale Rosenbaum on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Rosenbaum, Mark) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

11

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Jacob Maddox on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Maddox, Jacob) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

12

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Mayra Isabel Lira on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Lira, Mayra) (Filed on 10/23/2025) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

13

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Vanessa Young on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Young, Vanessa) (Filed on 10/24/2025) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

Notice of Appearance/Substitution/Change/Withdrawal of Attorney

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

14

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Amanda Roman Mangaser Savage on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Savage, Amanda) (Filed on 10/24/2025) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

15

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Tara Chantelle Ford on behalf of McKinleyville Union School District (Ford, Tara) (Filed on 10/24/2025) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

16

CLERK'S NOTICE SETTING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE. You are hereby notified that the Initial Case Management Conference will be held by Zoom Webinar. Joint Case Management Statement is due by 1/20/2026. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/26/2026, at 02:00 PM in Oakland, - Videoconference Only. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/ygr Court Appearances: Advanced notice is required of counsel or parties who wish to be identified by the court as making an appearance or will be participating in the argument at the hearing. A list of names and emails must be sent to the CRD at ygrcrd@cand.uscourts.gov no later than January 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM PST. Civ LR 77-3(d). Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/. Case Management Statement due by 1/20/2026. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/26/2026 02:00 PM in Oakland, - Videoconference Only. (eac, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/28/2025) (Entered: 10/28/2025)

Oct. 28, 2025

Oct. 28, 2025

17

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by McKinleyville Union School District of Summons and Complaint (Wiener, David) (Filed on 11/19/2025) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

19

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by McKinleyville Union School District. Motion Hearing set for 12/30/2025 02:00 PM in Oakland, Courtroom 1, 4th Floor before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Responses due by 12/4/2025. Replies due by 12/11/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of David J. Wiener, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Declaration of Julie Giannini-Previde, # 4 Exhibit A, # 5 Exhibit B, # 6 Exhibit C, # 7 Exhibit D, # 8 Exhibit E, # 9 Declaration of Tiffany Maher, # 10 Exhibit A, # 11 Exhibit B, # 12 Exhibit C, # 13 Exhibit D, # 14 Exhibit E, # 15 Exhibit F, # 16 Declaration of Luke Biesecker, # 17 Declaration of Shashank Joshi, # 18 Declaration of Rene McBride, # 19 Declaration of Jim McQuillen, # 20 Declaration of Virgil Moorehead, # 21 Declaration of Angela Sundberg, # 22 Declaration of Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach, # 23 Declaration of Mark D. Weist and Susan B. Barrett, # 24 Proposed Order)(Marmalefsky, Dan) (Filed on 11/20/2025) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

Clearinghouse

Electronic Filing Error

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

Electronic filing error. Incorrect events used for Summons returned executed.This filing will not be processed by the clerks office.Please re-file in its entirety using "Summons returned Executed/Unexecuted" event Re: 17 Certificate of Service filed by McKinleyville Union School District (ark, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

18

SUMMONS Returned Executed by McKinleyville Union School District. Linda McMahon served on 10/30/2025, answer due 12/29/2025; U.S. Department of Education served on 10/30/2025, answer due 12/29/2025. (Wiener, David) (Filed on 11/20/2025) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

20

Certificate/Proof of Service

Nov. 21, 2025

Nov. 21, 2025

Clerk's Notice AND ~Util - Set Motion and Deadlines/Hearings AND ~Util - Teleconference Zoom

Nov. 21, 2025

Nov. 21, 2025

22

Certificate/Proof of Service

Nov. 24, 2025

Nov. 24, 2025

23

Stipulation and Proposed Order

Nov. 26, 2025

Nov. 26, 2025

24

Order on Stipulation

Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

25

Opposition/Response to Motion

1 Declaration of Dana Carr

View on PACER

2 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Dec. 4, 2025

Dec. 4, 2025

26

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

27

Statement

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

28

Reply to Opposition/Response

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

29

1 - Terminate Deadlines and Hearings AND Order AND Set Motion and Deadlines/Hearings

Dec. 12, 2025

Dec. 12, 2025

Clerk's Notice AND ~Util - Set Motion and Deadlines/Hearings AND ~Util - Teleconference Zoom

Dec. 12, 2025

Dec. 12, 2025

31

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

32

Statement

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Education

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

McKinleyville Union School District, a school district in California.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

The U.S. Department of Education (Washington DC, - United States (national) -), Federal

Linda McMahon (Washington DC, - United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

Northern District of California 1:25-cv-09105

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Injunction

Declaratory judgment

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

Funding