Case: Beal v. Midlothian Independent School District

3:01-cv-00746 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: April 18, 2001

Closed Date: Jan. 22, 2003

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Parents, as next of friend of female students of Midlothian Public School District, filed suit against the school district under Title IX of the Education Amendment, 20 U.S.C. § 1681, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, on April 18, 2001 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The plaintiffs alleged that the school district had violated Title IX by discriminating against female students as to the sports and opportunities offered. Specifically, the…

Parents, as next of friend of female students of Midlothian Public School District, filed suit against the school district under Title IX of the Education Amendment, 20 U.S.C. § 1681, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, on April 18, 2001 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The plaintiffs alleged that the school district had violated Title IX by discriminating against female students as to the sports and opportunities offered. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants discriminated against female students in the funding of athletics, equipment and supplies, travel and/or meals, opportunity to receive qualified coaching, assignment and/or compensation of coaches, provision of locker rooms and facilities for practice and competition, and the provision of training facilities and services. Plaintiffs sought class certification for all female students in the Midlothian School District.

On May 21, 2002, Judge Sam Lindsay held that plaintiffs lacked standing to assert effective accommodation claims. Because the plaintiffs already participated in interscholastic athletics, they could not demonstrate an "injury in fact" with respect to effective accommodations. The court held that plaintiffs did have standing to pursue their unequal treatment claims. In the same opinion, the court certified the class of female students at Midlothian schools.

On September 11, 2002, the court entered a consent decree, absent any admission of wrong-doing by the defendants, based on a joint stipulation of the parties. Among other things, the parties agreed that the school district would continue to encourage participation in school-sponsored sports via notification to all students of sports offered, maintain accurate accounting records of expenditures for male and female sports, maintain a commitment to providing off-season training to all female sports on a basis equivalent with that provided for male sports, publish a policy in the school handbook of the district's policy of equal treatment for male and female athletes, provide coach to athlete ratios for female sports equal to that of male sports, and avoid cancellation of games for gender reasons. The district also agreed to provide summer camps for female sports, provide trainers to female athletes, provide comparable athletic facilities for male and female students in facilities built after January 1, 2002, and to provide spectator facilities for the softball competition field equivalent to those of the baseball field.

The case was dismissed with prejudice on January 22, 2003.

Summary Authors

Carlyn Williams (2/2/2014)

People


Judge(s)

Lindsay, Sam A. (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Schiller, Samuel (Tennessee)

Yasser, Raymond (Oklahoma)

Attorney for Defendant

Kizzia, Dawn Bradley (Texas)

Stammel, Nicole Woods (Texas)

Judge(s)

Lindsay, Sam A. (Texas)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:01-cv-00746

Docket [PACER]

Beal v. Midlothia ISD

Jan. 22, 2003

Jan. 22, 2003

Docket
1

3:01-cv-00746

Complaint - Class Action

Beal v. Midlothia ISD

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

Complaint
15

3:01-cv-00746

Mediation Order

Beal v. Midlothia ISD

June 26, 2001

June 26, 2001

Order/Opinion
33

3:01-cv-00746

Memorandum Opinion and Order

Beal v. Midlothia ISD

May 21, 2002

May 21, 2002

Order/Opinion

2002 WL 2002

41

3:01-cv-00746

Consent Decree

Beal v. Midlothian Independent School District

Sept. 11, 2002

Sept. 11, 2002

Order/Opinion
51

3:01-cv-00746

Order of Dismissal

Beal v. Midlothia ISD

Jan. 22, 2003

Jan. 22, 2003

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated Feb. 18, 2024, 3:14 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT−Class Action filed. Filing Fee $ 150.00 Receipt # 149796 (15+) (jrb) (Entered: 04/19/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

2

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by plaintiff Sheila Beal, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Charles V Emmett (2) (jrb) (Entered: 04/19/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

3

SUMMONS(ES) issued for defendant Molly Helmlinger (1) (jrb) (Entered: 04/19/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

PRELIMINARY ASSIGNMENT TO Magistrate Judge Wm F Sanderson Jr (jrb) (Entered: 04/19/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

4

Application/MOTION by plaintiff Sheila Beal, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney to proceed without local counsel (2) (jrb) (Entered: 04/20/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

5

ORDER granting [4−1] motion to proceed without local counsel ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 4/20/01 Page(s) 1 (jrb) (Entered: 04/20/2001)

April 19, 2001

April 19, 2001

7

Application and ORDER for Samuel J Schiller to appear pro hac vice ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 4/20/01 Page(s) 3 (jrb) (Entered: 04/20/2001)

April 19, 2001

April 19, 2001

8

SUMMONS(ES) issued for defendant Midlothian ISD (issued−1) (jrb) (Entered: 04/25/2001)

April 24, 2001

April 24, 2001

9

RETURN OF SERVICE executed as to defendant Molly Helmlinger 4/27/01 Answer due on 5/17/01 for Molly Helmlinger...original green card attached. (1) (jrb) (Entered: 05/15/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

10

RETURN OF SERVICE executed as to defendant Midlothian ISD 5/2/01 Answer due on 5/22/01 for Midlothian ISD...served Steve Griffin...original green card attached. (1) (jrb) (Entered: 05/15/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

11

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by defendant Midlothian ISD, defendant Molly Helmlinger(3) (jrb) (Entered: 05/18/2001)

May 17, 2001

May 17, 2001

12

ANSWER to Complaint by defendant Midlothian ISD, defendant Molly Helmlinger (Attorney Nicole Woods Stammel, Don Bradley Kizzia), (9) (jrb) (Entered: 05/18/2001)

May 17, 2001

May 17, 2001

13

ORDER requiring attorney conference and status report...this conference shall take place no later than 6/4/01...within 14 days from the date of the conference, the parties shall submit a status report. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 5/21/01 Page(s) 3 (jrb) (Entered: 05/21/2001)

May 18, 2001

May 18, 2001

14

Joint STATUS REPORT and Proposed Discovery Plan by plaintiff Sheila Beal, defendant Molly Helmlinger, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney (5) (jyg) (Entered: 06/19/2001)

June 18, 2001

June 18, 2001

15

ORDER referring case to ADR; ADR provider; Type of ADR: mediation Requested by: court..due by 10/29/01. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 6/27/01 Page(s): 2 (jrb) (Entered: 06/27/2001)

June 26, 2001

June 26, 2001

16

SCHEDULING ORDER setting Bench trial set for 4/1/02 ; Joining of Parties on 9/1/01 ; Amending of Pleadings on 9/1/01 ; Deadline for filing of dispositive motions 1/2/02 ; Discovery cutoff 12/14/01 ; Pretrial materials due on 3/11/02 Pretrial conference for 10:00 3/28/02 ; Proposed pretrial order due 3/11/02 ; ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 6/27/01 Page(s): 9 (jrb) (Entered: 06/27/2001)

June 26, 2001

June 26, 2001

17

MOTION by plaintiff Sheila Beal, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney for class action certification . (3) (jaw) (Entered: 07/18/2001)

July 17, 2001

July 17, 2001

18

BRIEF/MEMORANDUM by plaintiff Sheila Beal, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney in support of [17−1] motion for class action certification. (15+) (jaw) (Entered: 07/18/2001)

July 17, 2001

July 17, 2001

19

Unopposed MOTION by defendant Midlothian ISD, defendant Molly Helmlinger to extend time to file response brief, and subject thereto, dfts' preliminary brief in response to plaintiffs' mtn for class action certification (15+) (jrb) (Entered: 08/07/2001)

Aug. 6, 2001

Aug. 6, 2001

20

First Amended RESPONSE and Brief by defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD to [17−1] motion for class action certification (15+) (jrb) (Entered: 08/14/2001)

Aug. 13, 2001

Aug. 13, 2001

21

ORDER granting [19−1] motion to extend time to file response brief, and subject thereto, dfts' preliminary brief in response to plaintiffs' mtn for class action certification Reply to Response to Motion reset to 8/13/01 for [17−1] motion for class action certification ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 8/14/01 Page(s) 2 (jrb) (Entered: 08/14/2001)

Aug. 13, 2001

Aug. 13, 2001

23

Agreed ORDER granting [22−1] motion for extension of time to file reply brief to defendants' first amended response and brief in support or response opposing plaintiffs' motion for class action certification Reply to Response to Motion reset to 9/27/01 for [17−1] motion for class action certification ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 8/29/01 Page(s) 2 (jrb) (Entered: 08/29/2001)

Aug. 29, 2001

Aug. 29, 2001

24

NOTICE of ADDRESS CHANGE by plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal New address is: Samuel J Schiller Schiller Law Firm Suite 200 4113 Cumby Road Cookeville TN 38501. (3) (jrb) (Entered: 09/12/2001)

Sept. 10, 2001

Sept. 10, 2001

25

REPLY by plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal to response to [17−1] motion for class action certification (11) (jrb) (Entered: 09/28/2001)

Sept. 27, 2001

Sept. 27, 2001

26

Joint Settlement STATUS REPORT by defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal (2) (jrb) (Entered: 10/02/2001)

Oct. 1, 2001

Oct. 1, 2001

27

Agreed/JOINT MOTION for extension of mediation deadline by defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal (3) (jrb) (Entered: 10/18/2001)

Oct. 17, 2001

Oct. 17, 2001

28

ORDER granting [27−1] joint motion for extension of mediation deadline...deadline is extended until 11/30/01. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 10/19/01 Page(s) 2 (jrb) (Entered: 10/19/2001)

Oct. 18, 2001

Oct. 18, 2001

29

Agreed/JOINT MOTION for extension of mediation and discovery deadlines by defendant Midlothian ISD, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal(4) (jrb) (Entered: 11/29/2001)

Nov. 28, 2001

Nov. 28, 2001

30

Amended Schedulng Order/ORDER granting [29−1] joint motion for extension of mediation and discovery deadlines reset scheduling order deadlines: Bench trial reset for 6/3/02 ; Discovery deadline on 2/1/02 Deadline for filing of dispositive motions by 3/4/02 Pretrial materials due 5/13/02 Proposed pretrial order due 5/13/02 Pretrial conference by 10:00 5/31/02 ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 12/3/01 Page(s) 9 (jrb) (Entered: 12/03/2001)

Nov. 30, 2001

Nov. 30, 2001

31

Unopposed MOTION by defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD to extend scheduling deadlines (3) (jrb) (Entered: 02/25/2002)

Feb. 22, 2002

Feb. 22, 2002

32

Second Amended Scheduling ORDER granting [31−1] motion to extend scheduling deadlines reset scheduling order deadlines: Bench trial reset for 9/3/02 ; Deadline for filing of dispositive motions by 6/3/02 Discovery deadline on 5/3/02 Pretrial materials due 8/13/02 Proposed pretrial order due 8/13/02 Pretrial conference by 10:00 8/28/02 ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 2/26/02 Page(s) 8 (jrb) (Entered: 02/26/2002)

Feb. 26, 2002

Feb. 26, 2002

33

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER granting in part, denying in part [17−1] motion for class action certification and dismisses plaintiffs' effective accomodation claim for lack of standing...see order for specifics. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 5/21/02 Page(s): 13 (jrb) (Entered: 05/21/2002)

May 21, 2002

May 21, 2002

34

Agreed MOTION by defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD for extension of deadline regarding pretrial disclosures and pretrial materials (3) (jrb) (Entered: 08/09/2002)

Aug. 8, 2002

Aug. 8, 2002

35

Agreed ORDER regarding certain pretrial deadlines/ granting [34−1] motion for extension of deadline regarding pretrial disclosures and pretrial materials...the deadline for pretrial disclosures and objections and pretrial materials is extended to 5:00 pm on 8/16/02. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 8/9/02

Aug. 9, 2002

Aug. 9, 2002

37

JOINT MOTION for approval of settlement and consent decree by defendants and plaintiffs. (3) (jrb) (Entered: 08/27/2002)

Aug. 26, 2002

Aug. 26, 2002

38

Joint STIPULATION of dismissal...with prejudice. (4) (jrb) (Entered: 08/27/2002)

Aug. 26, 2002

Aug. 26, 2002

39

ORDER granting [37−1] joint motion for approval of settlement and consent decree...ordered that no notice to the class of class certification or settlement is required. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 9/12/02 Page(s) 2 (jrb) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 11, 2002

Sept. 11, 2002

40

ORDER of dismissal...any and all claims which were asserted or could have been asserted by any party against the other herein is hereby dismissed with prejudice with the specific exception of plaintiffs' or their attorneys' claim for attys' fees and costs related to this action, which will be the subject of a separate and subsequent order of this Court. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 9/12/02 Page(s) 3 (jrb) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 11, 2002

Sept. 11, 2002

41

CONSENT Decree...see order for specifics. ( signed by Judge Lindsady) Copies to counsel: 9/12/02 Page(s): 14 (jrb) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 11, 2002

Sept. 11, 2002

42

JOINT MOTION to extend deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for attys' fees and costs by defendants and plaintiffs. (4) (jrb) (Entered: 09/18/2002)

Sept. 17, 2002

Sept. 17, 2002

43

ORDER granting [42−1] joint motion to extend deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for attys' fees and costs...extended for a period of 30 days, or until 10/25/02....see order for other specifics. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 9/18/02 Page(s) 3 (jrb) (Entered: 09/18/2002)

Sept. 17, 2002

Sept. 17, 2002

44

Second JOINT MOTION to extend deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for awarding of attys' fees and costs by defendant Does 1−50, defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal (5) (jrb) (Entered: 10/18/2002)

Oct. 17, 2002

Oct. 17, 2002

45

ORDER granting [44−1] joint motion to extend deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for awarding of attys' fees and costs...deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for awarding of attys' fees and costs is extended for a period 30 days or until 11/24/02...see order for other specifics. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 10/18/02 Page(s) 3 (jrb) (Entered: 10/18/2002)

Oct. 18, 2002

Oct. 18, 2002

46

Third Joint MOTION by defendant Molly Helmlinger, defendant Midlothian ISD, plaintiff Charles V Emmett, plaintiff Rick Maloney, plaintiff Lynn Maloney, plaintiff Sheila Beal to extend deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for awarding of attorneys' fees and costs (5) (jrb) (Entered: 11/21/2002)

Nov. 20, 2002

Nov. 20, 2002

47

ORDER granting [46−1] motion to extend deadline for filing plaintiffs' mtn for awarding of attorneys' fees and costs...due 12/24/02...see order for other specifics. Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 11/21/02 Page(s) 3 (jrb) Modified on 11/21/2002 (Entered: 11/21/2002)

Nov. 20, 2002

Nov. 20, 2002

48

Fourth JOINT MOTION to extend deadline for filing plaintiff's mtn for awarding of attys' fees and costs by defendants and plaintiffs. (8) (jrb) Modified on 01/08/2003 (Entered: 12/26/2002)

Dec. 24, 2002

Dec. 24, 2002

49

ORDER granting [48−1] joint motion to extend deadline for filing plaintiff's mtn for awarding of attys' fees and costs for a period of 30 days or until 1/24/03. See order for specifics. ( Signed by Judge Sam A. Lindsay ) Copies to counsel: 1/8/03 Page(s) 3 (jrb) Modified on 01/08/2003 (Entered: 01/08/2003)

Jan. 7, 2003

Jan. 7, 2003

50

Joint STIPULATION of dismissal filed by plaintiffs and defendants. (3) (jrb) (Entered: 01/21/2003)

Jan. 16, 2003

Jan. 16, 2003

51

ORDER of Dismissal. Any and all claims which were asserted or could have been asserted by any party against the other herein are hereby dismissed with prejudice.

Jan. 22, 2003

Jan. 22, 2003

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 18, 2001

Closing Date: Jan. 22, 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Parents, as next of friend of female high school students at Midlothian Public Schools in Midlothian Texas.

Plaintiff Type(s):

City/County Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Midlothian Independent School District (Ellis), School District

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Conditional Dismissal

Order Duration: 2002 - None

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Recordkeeping

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Sports

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Type of Facility:

Government-run