Case: United States v. Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools

0:25-cv-04571 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: Dec. 9, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

In this lawsuit, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice sued Minneapolis Public Schools, alleging unlawful preferential treatment of teachers of color and underrepresented teachers. On December 9, 2025, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The United States sued the Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools (Board), Special School Distri…

On December 9, 2025, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The United States sued the Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools (Board), Special School District No. 1, the Minneapolis Public Schools, and the Superintendent (collectively, “MPS”). The United States alleged that MPS discriminated against teachers based on their race, color, sex, and national origin in violation of Title VII by contracting with a teachers’ union to provide black teachers, teachers of color, and “underrepresented” teachers preferential treatment in employment decisions. The complaint specifically points to the agreement with the teachers union that includes an offering via a third party called “Black Men Teach.” “Black Men Teach” offers extra paid training days to black male teachers and exempts black male teachers from normal layoff policies. The United States alleged that the agreement with the teachers union allows MPS to exempt “underrepresented” teachers from normal layoff policies. The United States alleged that this preferential treatment was detrimental to any teacher who was not black, a person of color, or “underrepresented.”

The United States sought relief in the form of a declaratory judgment, a permanent injunction prohibiting MPS from implementing its agreement with the teachers union, and costs and fees. This case was assigned to Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

On February 9, 2026, the Minneapolis school entities filed a motion to dismiss, and the motion hearing took place on May 6, 2026. As of June 2026, the motion remains pending.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Sadie Henderson (6/19/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72010843/parties/united-states-v-board-of-directors-of-special-school-district-no-1/

Judge(s)

Schiltz, Patrick Joseph (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Huang, Allen (Minnesota)

Wrobleski, Brandon (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Sullivan, Timothy A (Minnesota)

Judge(s)

Schiltz, Patrick Joseph (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Huang, Allen (Minnesota)

Wrobleski, Brandon (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Sullivan, Timothy A (Minnesota)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2 0:25-cv-04571	Complaint United States of America v. Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools et al.	Dec. 9, 2025	Dec. 9, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72010843/united-states-v-board-of-directors-of-special-school-district-no-1/

Last updated Sept. 9, 2026, 3:46 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Dec. 9, 2025	FILED IN ERROR-WILL REFILE. COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by United States of America. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Wrobleski, Brandon) Modified text on 12/9/2025 (MKB). (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
2	Dec. 9, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by United States of America. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Wrobleski, Brandon) (Entered: 12/09/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Clearinghouse
3	Dec. 9, 2025	(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Patrick J. Schiltz per Civil (3rd, 4th - Civil Rights) list, referred to Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. Please use case number 25-cv-4571 (PJS/DJF).Notice: All Nongovernmental Corporate Parties must file a Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement. (MKB) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
4	Dec. 9, 2025	Summons Issued as to Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools. (MKB) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
5	Dec. 30, 2025	DOCUMENT FILED IN ERROR / WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by United States of America. All Defendants. (Wrobleski, Brandon) Modified text on 12/31/2025 (ABR). (Entered: 12/30/2025)	RECAP
6	Jan. 2, 2026	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by United States of America. All Defendants. (Wrobleski, Brandon) (Entered: 01/02/2026)	RECAP
7	Feb. 9, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Allen Huang on behalf of United States of America. (Huang, Allen) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
8	Feb. 9, 2026	MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools. (Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
9	Feb. 9, 2026	NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General : Motion Hearing set for 5/6/2026 at 08:30 AM in Judge's Chambers 15 (MPLS) before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. (Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
10	Feb. 9, 2026	MEMORANDUM in Support re 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 02/09/2026) 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate View on PACER	RECAP
11	Feb. 9, 2026	Declaration of Alicia Miller in Support of 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 1, # 2 Exhibit(s) 2, # 3 Exhibit(s) 3, # 4 Exhibit(s) 4)(Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 02/09/2026) 1 Exhibit(s) 1 View on PACER 2 Exhibit(s) 2 View on PACER 3 Exhibit(s) 3 View on PACER 4 Exhibit(s) 4 View on PACER	RECAP
12	Feb. 9, 2026	MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 8 Motion to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools.(Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
13	Feb. 9, 2026	PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools.(Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
14	Feb. 10, 2026	(Text-Only) ORDER/NOTICE: Due to the pending Motion to Dismiss 8, the Court finds there is good cause to delay the entry of a pretrial scheduling order. The Court will schedule a pretrial conference, if needed, promptly after a decision is issued on the pending motion. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster on 2/10/2026.(CRD) (Entered: 02/10/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 10, 2026	Order/Notice to Attorney
15	March 2, 2026	RESPONSE in Opposition re 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Wrobleski, Brandon) (Entered: 03/02/2026) 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate View on PACER	RECAP
16	March 2, 2026	DECLARATION of Cynthia M. Jones in Opposition to 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s), # 2 Exhibit(s))(Wrobleski, Brandon) (Entered: 03/02/2026) 1 Exhibit(s) View on PACER 2 Exhibit(s) View on PACER	RECAP
17	March 16, 2026	Reply to Response to Motion re 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 03/16/2026) 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate View on PACER	RECAP
18	April 23, 2026	(Text-Only) NOTICE of Resetting of Hearing: Motion Hearing reset for 5/6/2026 at 08:30 AM in Courtroom 15 (MPLS) before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. CHANGE IN DESIGNATION OF HEARING LOCATION ONLY. (CRD) (Entered: 04/23/2026)	RECAP
19	May 6, 2026	(Text-Only) MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on 5/6/2026: Oral Arguments Motion Hearing.Court Reporter: Janell Gruber.Minneapolis Courthouse, Courtroom 15E.Time: 8:32 a.m./10:06 a.m.Total Time: 1 hour and 34 minutes.APPEARANCES:For Plaintiff: Allen Huang and Brandon Wrobleski.For Defendants: Timothy A. Sullivan. PROCEEDINGS: Hearing on: 8 Defendants' Motion to Dismiss. The motion was moved, argued, and taken under advisement. Order to follow. (CRD) (Entered: 05/06/2026)	RECAP
20	May 6, 2026	LETTER TO DISTRICT JUDGE by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools . (Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 05/06/2026)	RECAP
21	May 8, 2026	TRANSCRIPT REQUEST for a 30-Day Transcript of 19 Motion Hearing,, to Court Reporter Janell Gruber. (Huang, Allen) (Entered: 05/08/2026)	RECAP
22	May 15, 2026	Second Declaration of Alicia Miller in Support of 8 MOTION to Dismiss/General filed by Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lisa Sayles-Adams, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 5)(Sullivan, Timothy) (Entered: 05/15/2026) 1 Exhibit(s) 5 View on PACER	RECAP
23	May 18, 2026	NOTICE of Withdrawal as Attorney for Plaintiff United States of America (Wrobleski, Brandon) (Entered: 05/18/2026)	RECAP
24	June 30, 2026	TRANSCRIPT of Motions Hearing held on 5/6/2026 before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. (75 pages). Court Reporter: Janell Gruber. For a copy of the transcript, please file a Transcript Request under Other Filings/Other Documents.Parties have 21 days to file a Statement of Redaction. In accordance with Judicial Conference policy and Local Rule 80.1, the transcript may be released and made remotely electronically available to the public in 90 days. For further information on redaction procedures, please review Local Rule 5.5 and Case Information >Transcripts, Court Reporters and Digital Audio Recordings. Statement of Redaction due 7/21/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 7/31/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/28/2026. (JMG) (Entered: 06/30/2026)	RECAP
25	July 27, 2026	TRANSCRIPT REQUEST for an Expedited 3-Day Transcript for a COPY OF 24 Transcript to Court Reporter Janell Gruber. (SAD) (Entered: 07/27/2026)	RECAP
26	Aug. 10, 2026	ORDER GRANTING IN PART and DENYING AS MOOT IN PART 8 defendants' motion to dismiss. 2 Plaintiff's complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(7). LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY. See order for details. (Written Opinion). Signed by Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on 8/10/2026. (CRD)	RECAP
27	Aug. 11, 2026	JUDGMENT (Attachments: # 1 Civil Notice - appeal)(MMG) (Entered: 08/11/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Anti-discrimination case

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 9, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

School District

Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:25-cv-04571

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Hiring

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Sex discrimination

Affected Race(s):

White

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Board of Directors of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47509/ (last updated 6/19/2026).