Overview
- The federal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota targets contract rules that skip teachers labeled "underrepresented" during layoffs and prioritize their recall.
- Prosecutors also challenge special benefits and layoff exemptions for Black Men Teach fellows tied to Nellie Stone Johnson Community School.
- The Justice Department requests a declaration that the provisions violate Title VII and a permanent injunction blocking similar terms in future agreements.
- Cited district documents include goals to reach at least 40% BIPOC staff by 2026 and to have 54.3% of new teacher hires identify as BIPOC by 2026–27.
- The suit follows an Employment Litigation Section investigation; Minneapolis Public Schools declined to comment, and an earlier state lawsuit was dismissed for lack of standing.