Case: United States v. West Memphis School District
2:24-cv-00069 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Filed Date: April 9, 2024
Closed Date: May 23, 2025
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Case Summary
This case challenged an Arkansas school district’s alleged disability discrimination against a teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 9, 2024, the United States filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas against the West Memphis School District (WMSD) on behalf of one of the district’s teachers. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, WMSD informed all employees that they had to return in-person with no exceptions other than for documented COVID-19 sickness or exposure. Per the complaint, WMSD refused to offer any reasonable accommodations to work remotely to the Plaintiff despite several requests and documentation from a medical provider advising that she avoid social contact due to her extreme health risks. On August 21, 2020, the Plaintiff resigned because she was unable to perform her duties in-person. The Plaintiff filed a timely charge of disability-based discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging that WMSD discriminated against her in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC investigated the allegations and found reasonable cause to believe that her allegations were true. The EEOC referred the matter to the DOJ after attempting and failing to reach a voluntary resolution of the charge. The United States asserted that WMSD violated the ADA and caused the Plaintiff emotional distress, lost income, pain and suffering, and humiliation. The Plaintiff sought a declaration that WMSD’s conduct was unlawful, injunctive relief to prevent WMSD from engaging in discriminatory practices, an order requiring WMSD to modify its policies, and compensatory damages to cover all lost income and distress. The case was assigned to District Judge Lee Rudofsky.
On August 6, 2024, the court scheduled a jury trial for September 9, 2025. However, on May 23, 2025, several months after the Trump administration took office, the DOJ and the school district voluntarily dismissed the case without explanation.
Summary Authors
Ian Gibson (8/5/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68421905/parties/united-states-v-west-memphis-school-district/
Andersen, Jane Elizabeth (Arkansas)
Bond, Rebecca B. (Arkansas)
Clarke, Kristen (Arkansas)
Bequette, George Jay (Arkansas)
Brick, Phillip M. (Arkansas)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68421905/united-states-v-west-memphis-school-district/
Last updated Sept. 26, 2026, 3:30 a.m.
Docket for: United States v. West Memphis School District
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 9, 2024
Closing Date: May 23, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The United States Department of Justice
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
West Memphis School District
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Arkansas 2:24-cv-00069
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination Basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Case Summary of United States v. West Memphis School District, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48047/ (last updated 8/5/2026).