Case: U.S. v. Catahoula Parish School Board

1:69-cv-14430 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana

Filed Date: Feb. 10, 1969

Closed Date: Sept. 3, 2020

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Case Summary

On February 10, 1969, the United States Department of Justice filed this school desegregation lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, to enjoin the operation of a racially segregated school system in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Judge Edwin Ford Hunter Jr. granted the Department of Justice’s motion for a preliminary injunction to create a unitary (that is, desegregated) school system in Catahoula Parish on June 24, 1969. At around the same time, the Fifth Circu…

Judge Edwin Ford Hunter Jr. granted the Department of Justice’s motion for a preliminary injunction to create a unitary (that is, desegregated) school system in Catahoula Parish on June 24, 1969. At around the same time, the Fifth Circuit took on a more active role in school desegregation. On May 28, 1969, the Fifth Circuit decided Hall v. St. Helena Parish School Bd., 417 F.2d 801 (5th Cir. 1969), an opinion aggregating 38 other school desegregation cases. In its opinion, the Fifth Circuit explained (in accordance with its prior opinion in U.S. v. Jefferson County Board of Education, 380 F.2d 385 (5th Cir. en banc 1967), and the Supreme Court's opinion in Green v. School Bd. of New Kent County, 391 U.S. 430 (1968)), that the constitutional duty to desegregated was not satisfied by ineffective plans that purported to desegregate merely by offering students “freedom of choice” about where to attend school.

Shortly after the Fifth Circuit decided Hall, a three-judge district court expressed its disagreement with the Fifth Circuit’s desire to desegregate quickly but nevertheless ordered Catahoula and twenty-eight other parishes to submit new desegregation plans. Conley v. Lake Charles, 303 F. Supp. 394 (1969). The Clearinghouse has additional information about the consolidated cases here. The panel officially approved the Parish’s desegregation plan on July 29, 1969, and responsibility for monitoring the desegregation efforts devolved to the original district court.

While Catahoula Parish has been consistently filing periodic reports with the court, the case has - until 2019 - been fairly quiet overall since the segregation plan was approved in 1969. In August 23, 1993, the court granted a motion by Catahoula Parish to implement a new Student Enrollment and Transfer Policy. On July 7, 1994, the desegregation plan was amended again, allowing Catahoula Parish to close one high school and consolidate two middle schools into one. Also on July 7, 1994, the court dismissed the motion of “Save Our Schools,” who moved to intervene in order to keep the Parish from integrating the schools. The court also granted Catahoula’s motion to close an elementary school and reassign the students on August 7, 1995. Since then the District Court has made orders consolidating another school and making it so that students who transfer (or are reassigned) under “majority-to-minority” provisions gain athletic eligibility at their new schools right away.

On January 24, 2019, the court (Judge Dee D. Drell) ordered the parties to review a YouTube video that had “come to the court’s attention.” The link (https://youtu.be/od3s31ZWbWM) is now broken, but the court’s description of the video suggested it contained a Now This News report that revealed the use of unqualified teachers and deterioration of the physical conditions at Parish schools in violation of court orders. The court, seemingly incensed that “NO PARTY” provided “[ANY] NOTICE” of the violations (emphasis in original), requested additional briefing, and a flurry of litigation ensued. On April 2, 2019 the court issued an order demanding (1) reports from the parties every two months; and (2) a plan to desegregate the school system and achieve unitary status.

Judge Drell recused himself from the case on June 3, 2019.

Judge Robert G. James issued an order declaring the school system unitary with respect to transportation on July 8, 2019. The court then consolidated this case with John Wesley Smith v. Catahoula Parish School Board, a 2019 state court case that the Parish removed to federal court involving a student’s request to be reassigned to a different school for medical reasons. (The court had control over student reassignments in the district as part of the 1969 desegregation plan.)

On September 3, 2019, the court approved a “Plan of Work” that, if adhered to by the Parish, would enable the school system to be declared unitary. The plan provided for (1) monitoring of student assignments; (2) monitoring and reporting as to faculty and staff assignments; (3) monitoring of extracurricular activities; and (4) site visits to physical facilities.

A year later, on September 1, 2020, the parties filed a joint motion to dismiss the case. On September 3, 2020 Judge Terry A. Doughty granted the motion to dismiss, stating that the school system "achieved unitary status in the final areas of student assignment, faculty and staff assignment, facilities, and quality of education" and had refrained from taking steps to reverse its progress. 2020 WL 5261198.

The case was dismissed with prejudice, and is now closed.

Related Opinions:

Conley v. Lake Charles, 303 F. Supp. 394 (1969)

Hall v. St. Helena Parish School Bd., 417 F.2d 801 (1969)

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Summary Authors

Alaael-Deen Shilleh (4/30/2017)

Sichun Liu (6/1/2019)

Samuel Poortenga (10/9/2020)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8021024/parties/u-s-a-v-catahoula-parish-school-board/

Judge(s)

Cabot, Ted (Florida)

Dawkins, Benjamin Cornwell Jr. (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, John Robert (Louisiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Blanchard, John Richard (Louisiana)

Dill, Pamela W (Louisiana)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Judge(s)

Cabot, Ted (Florida)

Dawkins, Benjamin Cornwell Jr. (Louisiana)

Doughty, Terry Alvin (Louisiana)

Drell, Dee D. (Louisiana)

Godbold, John Cooper (Louisiana)

Hunter, Edwin Ford Jr. (Louisiana)

Putnam, Richard Johnson (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, John Robert (Louisiana)

Douglas, Nathaniel (District of Columbia)

Edwards, Jerry (Louisiana)

Hebert, Janice E. (Louisiana)

Marshall, Franz (District of Columbia)

Phillips, Colleen (District of Columbia)

Smith, John Wesley (Louisiana)

Smith, Jill Lossin (Louisiana)

Taylor, Lisa M. (District of Columbia)

Vincent, Katherine (Louisiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Blanchard, John Richard (Louisiana)

Dill, Pamela W (Louisiana)

Hammonds, Robert L. (Louisiana)

Johnson, John W. (Louisiana)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Jr, Jack Wright (Louisiana)

McClure, Brandy Lynn (Louisiana)

Miller, Viona J (District of Columbia)

Rabinowitz, Jessica Dillon (District of Columbia)

Scott, Louis Granderson (Louisiana)

Tayman, William Kyle (District of Columbia)

Wright, Jack Jr. (Louisiana)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1:69-cv-14430	Docket United States of America v. Catahoula Parish School Board	Sept. 3, 2020	Sept. 3, 2020 Docket
02921 15556	[Order] Hall v. St. Helena Parish School Board U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit	May 28, 1969	May 28, 1969 Order/Opinion 417 F.2d 417
09981 14516	[Order] Conley v. Lake Charles School Board	June 5, 1969	June 5, 1969 Order/Opinion 303 F.Supp. 303
10 1:69-cv-14430	MOTION OF CATAHOULA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSOLIDATE SCHOOLS IN HARRISONBURG AND SICILY ISLAND ATTENDANCE ZONES	March 12, 2012	March 12, 2012 Pleading / Motion / Brief
27 1:69-cv-14430	Order	Jan. 24, 2019	Jan. 24, 2019 Order/Opinion
47 1:69-cv-14430	Order	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 Order/Opinion
64 1:69-cv-14430	Joint Proposed Plan of Work	Sept. 3, 2019	Sept. 3, 2019 Settlement Agreement
95 1:69-cv-14430	Ruling	Sept. 3, 2020	Sept. 3, 2020 Order/Opinion 2020 WL 2020

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8021024/u-s-a-v-catahoula-parish-school-board/

Last updated Feb. 23, 2024, 3:07 a.m.

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ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	PAPER DOCKET SHEET of filing through 08/07/1995. (crt,Reasor, Mary) Modified on 3/17/2011 to correct file date (Whidden, C). (Additional attachment(s) added on 3/1/2019: # 1 06/05/69 - En Banc Order, # 2 07/23/69 - Amended Plan, # 3 08/01/69 - Decree, # 4 09/08/69 - Letter, # 5 07/31/70 - Motion to Amend Plan, # 6 09/02/70 - Amended Decree, # 7 09/24/71 - Letter, # 8 12/03/71 - Letter, # 9 06/26/80 - Motion for Supplemental Relief, # 10 08/07/80 - Judgment, # 11 08/19/93 - Motion for Authorization, # 12 08/23/93 - Order, # 13 06/13/94 - Motion for Authorization, # 14 06/20/94 - Response, # 15 06/28/94 - Minutes, # 16 07/07/94 - Opinion, # 17 07/07/94 - Judgment, # 18 07/18/94 - Opinion, # 19 07/18/94 - Amended Judgment, # 20 07/17/95 - Motion for Authorization, # 21 07/28/95 - Amended Motion for Authorization, # 22 08/07/95 - Order) (Whidden, C). (Entered: 11/03/2008) 1 06/05/69 - En Banc Order View on PACER 2 07/23/69 - Amended Plan View on PACER 3 08/01/69 - Decree View on PACER 4 09/08/69 - Letter View on PACER 5 07/31/70 - Motion to Amend Plan View on PACER 6 09/02/70 - Amended Decree View on PACER 7 09/24/71 - Letter View on PACER 8 12/03/71 - Letter View on PACER 9 06/26/80 - Motion for Supplemental Relief View on PACER 10 08/07/80 - Judgment View on PACER 11 08/19/93 - Motion for Authorization View on PACER 12 08/23/93 - Order View on PACER 13 06/13/94 - Motion for Authorization View on PACER 14 06/20/94 - Response View on PACER 15 06/28/94 - Minutes View on PACER 16 07/07/94 - Opinion View on PACER 17 07/07/94 - Judgment View on PACER 18 07/18/94 - Opinion View on PACER 19 07/18/94 - Amended Judgment View on PACER 20 07/17/95 - Motion for Authorization View on PACER 21 07/28/95 - Amended Motion for Authorization View on PACER 22 08/07/95 - Order View on PACER	Feb. 10, 1969	Feb. 10, 1969 PACER
	CASE assigned to Judge Dee D Drell. (crt,Reasor, Mary)	Oct. 31, 2008	Oct. 31, 2008 PACER
2	REPORT by Catahoula Parish, School Board. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A-D)(crt,Reasor, Mary) (Entered: 11/03/2008) 1 Exhibits A-D View on PACER	Oct. 31, 2008	Oct. 31, 2008 PACER
3	MOTION for Lisa Taylor to Enroll as Counsel by U S A. ADMINISTRATIVE ENTRY as 3 Motion e-filed without selecting all reliefs requested. (crt,Yocum, M) Modified on 11/19/2008 to assign document number (Yocum, M). (Entered: 11/19/2008) 1 Text of proposed order View on PACER	Nov. 18, 2008	Nov. 18, 2008 PACER
4	ORDER granting 3 Motion to Substitute Attorney. Janice E Herbert substituted for Katherine W Vincent for U S A. Attorney Katherine W Vincent terminated; and granting 3 Motion to Enroll Lisa M Taylor as Lead Counsel. Added as counsel Lisa M Taylor for U S A. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 11/20/08. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 11/20/2008)	Nov. 20, 2008	Nov. 20, 2008 PACER
5	MOTION to Amend/Correct with consent relative to Athletic Eligibility of Majority-to-Minority Transferees by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits, # 2 Memorandum / Brief, # 3 Text of proposed order)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 04/03/2009) 1 Exhibits View on PACER 2 Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 3 Text of proposed order View on PACER	April 3, 2009	April 3, 2009 PACER
6	ORDER granting 5 Motion to Amend/Correct. Students who are currently attending public schools in Catahoula Parish pursuant to majority-to-minority transfer provisions or who subsequently transfer under such provisions shall be immediately eligible to participate on athletic teams at the schools to which they have been transferred or will transfer in the future. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 04/06/09. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 04/06/2009)	April 6, 2009	April 6, 2009 PACER
7	STATUS REPORT Annual Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/29/2009)	Oct. 29, 2009	Oct. 29, 2009 PACER
8	STATUS REPORT by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A-D)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/29/2010) 1 Exhibits A-D View on PACER	Oct. 29, 2010	Oct. 29, 2010 PACER
9	STATUS REPORT Annual Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/19/2011) 1 Exhibit View on PACER	Oct. 19, 2011	Oct. 19, 2011 PACER
10	MOTION to Consolidate Schools in Harrisonburg and Sicily Island Attendance Zones by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Text of proposed order)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 03/12/2012) 1 Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 2 Exhibit View on PACER 3 Text of proposed order View on PACER	March 12, 2012	March 12, 2012 Clearinghouse
11	ORDER granting 10 Motion to Consolidate Schools in Harrisonburg and Sicily Island Attendance Zones. The School Board is authorized to consolidate the schools in the Harrisonburg and Sicily Island school attendance zones beginning with the 2012-13 school year. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 03/13/12. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 03/13/2012)	March 13, 2012	March 13, 2012 PACER
12	STATUS REPORT by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A-D)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/18/2012) 1 Exhibits A-D View on PACER	Oct. 18, 2012	Oct. 18, 2012 PACER
13	ORDER The Court wishes for a telephone status conference in this case. Counsel should arrange for a conference call with Chambers within the next 20 days to select a date and time. Counsel for the United States should initiate the call. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 10/24/12. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 10/24/2012)	Oct. 24, 2012	Oct. 24, 2012 PACER
14	MOTION to Substitute Attorney Katherine W. Vincent in place of Janice E. Hebert by USA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of proposed order)(aty,Vincent, Katherine) (Entered: 10/25/2012) 1 Text of proposed order View on PACER	Oct. 25, 2012	Oct. 25, 2012 PACER
15	ORDER granting 14 Motion to Substitute Attorney. Katherine W Vincent added for USA. Attorney Janice E Hebert terminated. Signed by Chief Judge Dee D Drell on 10/29/12. (crt,Yocum, M) (Entered: 10/30/2012)	Oct. 30, 2012	Oct. 30, 2012 PACER
16	MINUTE ENTRY: A Telephone Conference is set for 11/20/2012 03:30 PM before Chief Judge Dee D Drell. Counsel for the government shall initiate the call. Signed by Chief Judge Dee D Drell on 11/9/12. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 11/09/2012)	Nov. 9, 2012	Nov. 9, 2012 PACER
17	MINUTE ENTRY: November 20, 2012 telephone conference set for 10:30 AM rather than 3:30 PM before Chief Judge Dee D Drell. Counsel for Government shall initiate the call. Signed by Chief Judge Dee D Drell on 11/14/12. (crt,Burge, J) (Entered: 11/14/2012)	Nov. 14, 2012	Nov. 14, 2012 PACER
18	MINUTE ENTRY: A Status Conference set for 7/12/2013 10:00 AM in by phone before Chief Judge Dee D Drell. Counsel for the government shall initiate the call. Signed by Chief Judge Dee D Drell on 11/20/12. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 11/20/2012)	Nov. 20, 2012	Nov. 20, 2012 PACER
19	MINUTES (TEXT ONLY ENTRY - NO PDF ATTACHED) for proceedings held before Chief Judge Dee D Drell: TELEPHONE CONFERENCE held on 7/12/2013. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 07/12/2013)	July 12, 2013	July 12, 2013 PACER
20	ORDER IT IS ORDERED that counsel shall confer and submit to the Court within thirty (30) days, a scheduling order to govern further progress of this case. Signed by Chief Judge Dee D Drell on 7/12/13. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 07/12/2013)	July 12, 2013	July 12, 2013 PACER
21	STATUS REPORT - October 15th Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Ex. 1-4)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/15/2013) 1 Ex. 1-4 View on PACER	Oct. 15, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013 PACER
22	STATUS REPORT - Annual October 15th Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits 1-5)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/14/2014) 1 Exhibits 1-5 View on PACER	Oct. 14, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014 PACER
23	STATUS REPORT Annual October 15th Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits 1-4)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/15/2015) 1 Exhibits 1-4 View on PACER	Oct. 15, 2015	Oct. 15, 2015 PACER
24	STATUS REPORT - October 15th Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits 1-4)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/13/2016) 1 Exhibits 1-4 View on PACER	Oct. 13, 2016	Oct. 13, 2016 PACER
25	STATUS REPORT - October 15th Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits 1 - 4)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) Modified on 10/16/2017 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 10/16/2017) 1 Exhibits 1 - 4 View on PACER	Oct. 16, 2017	Oct. 16, 2017 PACER
26	STATUS REPORT October 2018 Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Faculty Vacancy and Replacement, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Faculty and Staff, # 3 Exhibit 3 - Student Enrollment, # 4 Exhibit 4 - Student Transfers)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 10/12/2018) 1 Exhibit 1 - Faculty Vacancy and Replacement View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 - Faculty and Staff View on PACER 3 Exhibit 3 - Student Enrollment View on PACER 4 Exhibit 4 - Student Transfers View on PACER	Oct. 12, 2018	Oct. 12, 2018 PACER
27	ORDER re 20 Order. ORDERED that all parties will review the news report at the YouTube link herein and respond in writing on the record by the filing of briefs on the two issues mentioned above on or before 3/1/2019. ORDERED that a hearing in open court is set before the undersigned on 3/20/2019 at 2:00 PM in Alexandria Court House at which at least one counsel of record for each interested party shall appear and show cause why they should not be sanctioned according to Fed. R. Civ. P. 11 for failure to comply with this court's July 12, 2013 order. All Counsel appearing shall also be prepared to show cause why a Special Master should not be appointed in this case to oversee the parties' cooperation in future work toward desegregation in Catahoula Parish schools. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 1/24/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 01/25/2019)	Jan. 24, 2019	Jan. 24, 2019 Clearinghouse
28	MOTION for Pamela Wescovich Dill and John Richard Blanchard to Enroll as Counsel by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed order)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 01/31/2019) 1 Proposed order View on PACER	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019 PACER
29	ORDER granting 28 Motion to Enroll as Counsel. Added as counsel Pamela Wescovich Dill, John Richard Blanchard for School Board of Catahoula Parish. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 2/1/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 02/01/2019)	Feb. 1, 2019	Feb. 1, 2019 PACER
30	MOTION to Substitute Attorney Colleen M. Phillips in place of Lisa M. Taylor with consent by USA. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed order)(aty,Vincent, Katherine) (Entered: 02/14/2019) 1 Proposed order View on PACER	Feb. 14, 2019	Feb. 14, 2019 PACER
31	ORDER granting 30 Motion to Substitute Attorney. Added attorney Colleen Phillips for USA. Attorney Lisa M Taylor terminated. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 2/15/2019. (crt,Crick, S) Modified on 4/1/2019 to modify filing date. (Crick, S). (Entered: 02/19/2019)	Feb. 19, 2019	Feb. 19, 2019 PACER
32	RESPONSE re 27 Order by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) Modified on 2/26/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 02/26/2019) 1 Exhibit 1 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 View on PACER 3 Exhibit 3 View on PACER 4 Exhibit 4 View on PACER 5 Exhibit 5 View on PACER 6 Exhibit 6 View on PACER 7 Exhibit 7 View on PACER	Feb. 26, 2019	Feb. 26, 2019 PACER
33	RESPONSE by USA re 27 Order. (aty,Phillips, Colleen) Modified on 3/1/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 02/28/2019)	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019 PACER
34	NOTICE of Appearance by Louis Granderson Scott on behalf of Louisiana State Conference N A A C P (Attorney Louis Granderson Scott added to party Louisiana State Conference N A A C P (pty:intvp)) (aty,Scott, Louis) Modified on 3/1/2019 to edit filer and text (FinnSld, P). (Entered: 02/28/2019)	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019 PACER
35	SECOND RESPONSE re 27 Order by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (aty,Hammonds, Robert) Modified on 3/6/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/05/2019)	March 5, 2019	March 5, 2019 PACER
36	MOTION for Jessica Rabinowitz to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Admission fee: $105, receipt number 0536-3897204) by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (aty,Scott, Louis) Modified on 3/13/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/12/2019)	March 12, 2019	March 12, 2019 PACER
37	MOTION for Viona Miller to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Admission fee: $105, receipt number 0536-3897208) by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (aty,Scott, Louis) Modified on 3/13/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/12/2019)	March 12, 2019	March 12, 2019 PACER
38	MOTION for William Tayman to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Admission fee: $105, receipt number 0536-3897209) by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (aty,Scott, Louis) Modified on 3/13/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/12/2019)	March 12, 2019	March 12, 2019 PACER
39	RESPONSE to Motion re 37 MOTION for Viona Miller to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 36 MOTION for Jessica Rabinowitz to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 38 MOTION for William Tayman to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (aty,Hammonds, Robert) Modified on 3/14/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/13/2019)	March 13, 2019	March 13, 2019 PACER
40	ORDER denying 36 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice ; denying 37 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice ; denying 38 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 3/14/2019. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 03/14/2019)	March 14, 2019	March 14, 2019 PACER
41	DEFICIENT. MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief with opposition by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Exhibit Declaration, # 3 Exhibit Declaration, # 4 Exhibit Declaration, # 5 Exhibit Declaration, # 6 Exhibit Letter, # 7 Exhibit Letter)(aty,Scott, Louis) Modified on 3/15/2019 to modify docket text and indicate deficient status. (Crick, S). Modified on 4/2/2019 to indicate 44 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief resubmitted in its entirety. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/15/2019) 1 Memorandum / Brief BRIEF View on PACER 2 Exhibit Declaration View on PACER 3 Exhibit Declaration View on PACER 4 Exhibit Declaration View on PACER 5 Exhibit Declaration View on PACER 6 Exhibit Letter View on PACER 7 Exhibit Letter View on PACER	March 15, 2019	March 15, 2019 PACER
42	ORDER ORDERED that all persons currently serving as members of the Catahoula Parish School Board and the Interim Superintendent shall be present at the hearing set for 3/20/19 at 2:00 p.m. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 3/14/2019. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 03/15/2019)	March 15, 2019	March 15, 2019 PACER
43	NOTICE of Deficiency to Louis Granderson Scott on behalf of Louisiana State Conference N A A C P regarding 41 MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief with opposition . Reason: The document is not on letter-size paper as required by LR10.1. Please re-submit this document in proper form. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 03/15/2019)	March 15, 2019	March 15, 2019 PACER
44	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief with consent by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Proposed Exhibit A Declaration, # 3 Proposed Exhibit B Declaration, # 4 Proposed Exhibit C Declaration, # 5 Proposed Exhibit D Declaration, # 6 Proposed Exhibit E Letter, # 7 Proposed Exhibit F Letter)(aty,Scott, Louis) Modified on 3/18/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). Modified on 4/2/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 03/15/2019) 1 Proposed Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 2 Proposed Exhibit A Declaration View on PACER 3 Proposed Exhibit B Declaration View on PACER 4 Proposed Exhibit C Declaration View on PACER 5 Proposed Exhibit D Declaration View on PACER 6 Proposed Exhibit E Letter View on PACER 7 Proposed Exhibit F Letter View on PACER	March 15, 2019	March 15, 2019 PACER
	NOTICE of Corrective Action to Louis Granderson Scott on behalf of Louisiana State Conference N A A C P regarding 44 MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief with consent, 41 MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief with opposition . Action taken: Terminated 41 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief. 44 Motion resubmitted in its entirety. (crt,Crick, S)	March 15, 2019	March 15, 2019 PACER
45	MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 44 MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief with consent filed by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 03/18/2019) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER	March 18, 2019	March 18, 2019 PACER
46	MINUTES for proceedings held before Judge Dee D Drell: SHOW CAUSE HEARING held on 3/20/2019. (Court Reporter: Myra Primeaux) (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 03/21/2019)	March 20, 2019	March 20, 2019 PACER
47	ORDER granting 36 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for appearance of Jessica Rabinowitz for Louisiana State Conference N A A C P; granting 37 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for appearance of Viona J Miller for Louisiana State Conference N A A C P; granting 38 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for appearance of William Kyle Tayman for Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. The N A A C P's 44 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief in this matter is GRANTED, limited to its input on the issue of the court's potential appointment of a special master.The Court expects (1) the parties shall keep the Court apprised of their progress in remedying the immediate deficiencies at Block High School by narrative joint (Government and School Board) reports every two months, the first report being due June 1, 2019. These reports are IN ADDITION TO the present periodic statistical reports being submitted by the School Board; (2) The parties shall confer on a new Plan of Work, directed to the proposition that unitary status is possible in Catahoula Parish and outlining the steps intended to carry forward satisfaction of the Green factors. This Plan of Work shall be submitted to the Court on or before September 1, 2019.(3) Counsel for the parties shall appear for an in-person status conference in chambers on September 18, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Status briefs shall be filed with the Court no later than seven (7) days prior to the hearing. Presence of school board members is not presently required for appearance at this conference unless otherwise ordered.Finally, it is ORDERED the show cause order for previous non-compliance is DISMISSED based upon the explanations provided to the Court for the inadvertent failure to file a previously ordered Plan of Work. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 4/1/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 04/02/2019)	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 Clearinghouse
	Notice of Corrective Action	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 PACER
	Set/Reset Hearings	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 PACER
	Set/Reset Deadlines	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 PACER
	Set Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/1/2019. Plan of Work deadlline set for 9/1/2019. District Judge In-Person Status Conference set for 9/18/2019 at 1:30 PM in chambers before Judge Dee D Drell. (crt,Crick, S)	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 PACER
48	Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appointment of Special Master by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F)(crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 04/02/2019) 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 PACER 6 Exhibit F View on PACER	April 2, 2019	April 2, 2019 PACER
49	Unopposed MOTION to Close Jonesville Junior High School and to Change Grade Structures at Jonesville Elementary and Block High Schools by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Proposed order)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 05/22/2019) 1 Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 2 Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Proposed order View on PACER	May 22, 2019	May 22, 2019 PACER
50	ORDER granting 49 Motion to Close Jonesville Junior High School and to Change Grade Structures at Jonesville Elementary and Block High Schools. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 5/23/2019. (crt,Roaix, G) (Entered: 05/24/2019)	May 24, 2019	May 24, 2019 PACER
51	JOINT STATUS REPORT by USA, School Board of Catahoula Parish. (aty,Phillips, Colleen) Modified on 5/24/2019to edit filers (Putch, A). (Entered: 05/24/2019)	May 24, 2019	May 24, 2019 PACER
52	ORDER OF RECUSAL. Referred to Chief Judge for reassignment. Signed by Judge Dee D Drell on 5/31/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 06/04/2019)	June 3, 2019	June 3, 2019 PACER
53	ELECTRONIC MINUTE ENTRY issued by the Clerk. In accordance with Standing Order 1.62, this matter is hereby reassigned. Case reassigned to Judge Robert G James. Judge Dee D Drell no longer assigned to case. All future filings should bear the name of the new judge assignment.(crt,Whidden, C) (Entered: 06/11/2019)	June 11, 2019	June 11, 2019 PACER
	Minute Entry/Order Reassigning Case	June 11, 2019	June 11, 2019 PACER
54	MINUTE ENTRY: The in-person status conference set for 9/18/2019 at 1:30 PM is reset to U.S. District Courthouse, 201 Jackson Street, Monroe, LA before Judge Robert G James. All orders previously issued remain in place. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 6/13/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 06/13/2019)	June 13, 2019	June 13, 2019 PACER
55	Unopposed MOTION for Partial Unitary Status: Transportation by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed order, # 2 Proposed judgment)(aty,Hammonds, Robert) (Entered: 07/03/2019) 1 Proposed order View on PACER 2 Proposed judgment View on PACER	July 3, 2019	July 3, 2019 PACER
56	ORDER re 55 Unopposed MOTION for Partial Unitary Status: Transportation filed by School Board of Catahoula Parish. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 7/8/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 07/08/2019)	July 8, 2019	July 8, 2019 RECAP
57	ORDER granting 55 Motion for Partial Unitary Status as to Transportation. The permanent injunction previously entered is dismissed as to this area of operation. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 7/8/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 07/08/2019)	July 8, 2019	July 8, 2019 PACER
58	Second Joint STATUS REPORT by USA, School Board of Catahoula Parish. (aty,Phillips, Colleen) Modified on 8/2/2019 to add filer. (Crick, S). (Entered: 08/01/2019)	Aug. 1, 2019	Aug. 1, 2019 PACER
59	MOTION for Removal, Motion to Consolidate, Motion to Vacate, Motion for Hearing by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - State Court Documents, # 2 Proposed order, # 3 Notice of Filing Petition for Removal and Consolidation, # 4 Notice to Clerk of Petition for Removal and Consolidation)(aty,Blanchard, John). Added MOTION to Consolidate Case, MOTION for Hearing, MOTION to Vacate and modified docket text on 8/19/2019 (Crick, S). (Entered: 08/16/2019) 1 Exhibit A - State Court Documents View on PACER 2 Proposed order View on PACER 3 Notice of Filing Petition for Removal and Consolidation View on PACER 4 Notice to Clerk of Petition for Removal and Consolidation View on PACER	Aug. 16, 2019	Aug. 16, 2019 PACER
60	ORDER. Defendant Catahoula Parish School Board, having moved to remove to this Court the case of John Wesley Smith et ux v. Catahoula Parish School Board, #29676 "A" currently pending in the District Court for the Seventh Judicial District of Louisiana, and the Court having considered the Petition for Removal and Consolidation, it is hereby ORDERED as follows, the 59 motion is GRANTED, and:1. The case of John Wesley Smith et ux v. Catahoula Parish School Board, #29676 "A" is hereby removed to this Court and consolidated with this case.2. The August 9, 2019 order entered in that action ordering the Catahoula Parish School Board to enroll E.S. at Harrisonburg High School, to identify the Student Transfer Committee members, and to set a show cause hearing for August 29, 2019 is vacated and such hearing is continued until further notice. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 8/20/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 08/20/2019)	Aug. 20, 2019	Aug. 20, 2019 PACER
	Remark (Public)	Aug. 20, 2019	Aug. 20, 2019 PACER
	REMARK: Lead Case 1:69-cv-14430 consolidated with Member Case 1:19-cv-1094. See 60 Order in Lead Case; 2 Order in Member Case. (crt,Crick, S)	Aug. 20, 2019	Aug. 20, 2019 PACER
61	NOTICE of Consolidation by Clerk (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 08/20/2019)	Aug. 20, 2019	Aug. 20, 2019 PACER
62	Joint MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED Plan of Work by USA, School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed order)(aty,Phillips, Colleen) Modified on 8/30/2019 to add filer (Dunford, T). (Entered: 08/30/2019) 1 Proposed order View on PACER	Aug. 30, 2019	Aug. 30, 2019 PACER
63	ORDER granting 62 Proposed Plan of Work. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 9/3/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 09/03/2019)	Sept. 3, 2019	Sept. 3, 2019 PACER
64	PLAN OF WORK Signed by Judge Robert G James on 9/3/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 09/03/2019)	Sept. 3, 2019	Sept. 3, 2019 Clearinghouse
65	Emergency MOTION for Relief in Response to the Parties' Joint Proposed Plan of Work by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P re 64 Plan of Work. (aty,Scott, Louis) Modified event type and docket text on 9/6/2019 (Dunford, T). (Entered: 09/06/2019)	Sept. 6, 2019	Sept. 6, 2019 PACER
66	ORDER granting 65 Motion for Relief in Response to the Parties' Joint Proposed Plan of Work. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 9/6/2019. (crt,Dunford, T) (Entered: 09/06/2019)	Sept. 6, 2019	Sept. 6, 2019 PACER
67	MOTION for Reconsideration re 66 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Exhibit A - Emails Between NAACP and Board Counsel, # 3 Proposed order)(aty,Blanchard, John) (Entered: 09/09/2019) 1 Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 2 Exhibit A - Emails Between NAACP and Board Counsel View on PACER 3 Proposed order View on PACER	Sept. 9, 2019	Sept. 9, 2019 PACER
68	MOTION to Expedite consideration of 67 MOTION for Reconsideration re 66 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Proposed order)(aty,Blanchard, John) (Entered: 09/09/2019) 1 Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 2 Proposed order View on PACER	Sept. 9, 2019	Sept. 9, 2019 PACER
69	ORDER granting 68 Motion to Expedite Consideration. It Is Further Ordered that 67 Motion for Reconsideration of 66 Order allowing the NAACP to be present at the site visit is DENIED. The motion is otherwise granted. The parties should comply with the Plan of Work as previously ordered. It Is Further Ordered that a contradictory hearing on NAACP's requests in 65 MOTION for Relief in Response to the Parties' Joint Proposed Plan of Work is set for a contradictory hearing on 9/18/19 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Robert G James. The Court's status conference with the parties will be held immediately after hte contradictory hearing. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 9/10/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 09/10/2019)	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019 PACER
	Set/Reset Hearings	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019 PACER
	Set Hearings: Contradictory Hearing on requests in 65 MOTION for Relief in Response to the Parties' Joint Proposed Plan of Work set for 9/18/2019 at 1:30 PM in Monroe, 2nd floor before Judge Robert G James. (crt,Crawford, A)	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019 PACER
70	MINUTE ENTRY: The deadline for filing a status report is extended to 9/13/2019. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 9/10/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 09/10/2019)	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019 PACER
71	Joint STATUS REPORT, School Board of Catahoula Parish by USA. (aty,Phillips, Colleen) Modified on 9/13/2019 to add filer. (Crick, S). (Entered: 09/13/2019)	Sept. 13, 2019	Sept. 13, 2019 PACER
74	SEALED DOCUMENT: Letter to Judge James by Jill Lossin Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(crt,Crawford, A) Modified on 12/20/2019 to create motion event(Crawford, A). (Entered: 09/19/2019)	Sept. 16, 2019	Sept. 16, 2019 PACER
72	RESPONSE to Motion re 67 MOTION for Reconsideration re 66 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief filed by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (aty,Rabinowitz, Jessica) (Entered: 09/17/2019)	Sept. 17, 2019	Sept. 17, 2019 PACER
73	MINUTES for proceedings held before Judge Robert G James: STATUS CONFERENCE held on 9/18/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 09/19/2019)	Sept. 18, 2019	Sept. 18, 2019 PACER
	Set/Reset Deadlines	Sept. 19, 2019	Sept. 19, 2019 PACER
	Set/Reset Deadlines: School Board's response to 74 SEALED Letter due by 10/9/2019. (crt,Crawford, A)	Sept. 19, 2019	Sept. 19, 2019 PACER
75	Unopposed STATUS REPORT re 73 Minutes by Louisiana State Conference N A A C P. (aty,Rabinowitz, Jessica) Modified on 10/10/2019 to create docket entry relationship. (Crick, S). (Entered: 10/09/2019)	Oct. 9, 2019	Oct. 9, 2019 PACER
76	RESPONSE by School Board of Catahoula Parish re 74 Sealed Document . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Training Documents)(aty,Blanchard, John) Modified on 10/10/2019 to indicate 79 SEALED Exhibit B submitted as separate document.(Crick, S). (Entered: 10/09/2019) 1 Exhibit A - Training Documents View on PACER	Oct. 9, 2019	Oct. 9, 2019 PACER
77	MOTION to Seal Attached Document re 76 Response by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum / Brief, # 2 Proposed order, # 3 Proposed SEALED Exhibit B)(aty,Blanchard, John) Modified on 10/10/2019 to modify docket text and create docket entry relationship. (Crick, S). (Entered: 10/09/2019) 1 Memorandum / Brief View on PACER 2 Proposed order View on PACER	Oct. 9, 2019	Oct. 9, 2019 PACER
78	ORDER granting 77 Motion to Seal Attached Document. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 10/10/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 10/10/2019)	Oct. 10, 2019	Oct. 10, 2019 PACER
79	SEALED DOCUMENT: SEALED EXHIBIT B re 76 Response. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 10/10/2019)	Oct. 10, 2019	Oct. 10, 2019 PACER
80	MINUTE ENTRY: Should Ms Smith intend to file a reply to the School Board's 76 Response, her reply brief is DUE on or before Friday, October 25, 2019. Signed by Judge Robert G James on 10/10/2019. (crt,Crick, S) (Entered: 10/10/2019)	Oct. 10, 2019	Oct. 10, 2019 PACER
81	STATUS REPORT October 15th Report by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Faculty Vacancy and Replacement Data, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Faculty and Staff, # 3 Exhibit 3 - Student Enrollment, # 4 SEALED Exhibit 4 - Student Transfers)(aty,Blanchard, John) Modified on 10/16/2019 to modify security of Exhibit 4 and to indicate 82 Redacted version of Exhibit 4 submitted as separate document. (Crick, S). (Entered: 10/15/2019) 1 Exhibit 1 - Faculty Vacancy and Replacement Data View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 - Faculty and Staff View on PACER 3 Exhibit 3 - Student Enrollment View on PACER	Oct. 15, 2019	Oct. 15, 2019 PACER
82	REDACTED Exhibit 4 to 81 October 15th Report filed by School Board of Catahoula Parish. (aty,Blanchard, John) Modified on 10/16/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S). (Entered: 10/15/2019)	Oct. 15, 2019	Oct. 15, 2019 PACER
83	REPLY by Jill Lossin Smith to 76 Response re 74 Sealed Document (crt,Miletello, A) (Entered: 10/23/2019)	Oct. 23, 2019	Oct. 23, 2019 PACER
84	ELECTRONIC MINUTE ENTRY issued by the Clerk. Case reassigned to Judge Terry A Doughty. Judge Robert G James no longer assigned to case. All future filings should bear the name of the new judge assignment.Approved by Chief Judge S Maurice Hicks, Jr on 12/11/2019. (crt,Whidden, C) (Entered: 12/11/2019)	Dec. 11, 2019	Dec. 11, 2019 PACER
	Minute Entry/Order Reassigning Case	Dec. 11, 2019	Dec. 11, 2019 PACER
85	MINUTE ENTRY: Counsel shall contact the Courtroom Deputy to schedule a telephone status conference. Signed by Judge Terry A Doughty on 12/12/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 12/12/2019)	Dec. 12, 2019	Dec. 12, 2019 PACER
86	ELECTRONIC MINUTE ENTRY: A Telephone Status Conference will be held on 12/19/2019 at 10:00 AM before Judge Terry A Doughty. Counsel may access the conference by calling (888)363-4734 and using the access code 4886408. Signed by Judge Terry A Doughty on 12/13/2019. (crt,Crawford, A) (Entered: 12/13/2019)	Dec. 13, 2019	Dec. 13, 2019 PACER