Overview
- The Civil Rights Division filed the case Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, naming the district, its board, and Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams.
- The lawsuit alleges the 2022 union contract violates Title VII by classifying teachers by “underrepresented population” for involuntary reassignment, layoffs, and reinstatement.
- The complaint challenges an agreement with Black Men Teach that offers concurrent hiring at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School, extra paid training days, and exemption from normal layoff rules.
- Prosecutors cite district documents setting goals of at least 40% BIPOC staff by 2026 and 54.3% BIPOC new hires in 2026–2027 as evidence of preference-based policies.
- The Justice Department seeks a declaration of illegality and a permanent injunction, while a prior state lawsuit was dismissed for lack of standing and the district declined comment.