Case 3:65-cv-11297-RGJ Document 179 Filed 10/18/16 Page 1 of 3 PageID #: 3428

MINUTES OF PROCEEDING
ROBERT G. JAMES
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE
October 18, 2016
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
MONROE DIVISION
JIMMY ANDREWS, ET AL.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 65-11297

VERSUS

JUDGE ROBERT G. JAMES

CITY OF MONROE, ET AL.

MAG. JUDGE KAREN L. HAYES

*********
A telephone status conference was held in the above-referenced matter on October 18,
2016, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Participating were Doug Lawrence, counsel for the Monroe City
School Board (School Board); Franz Marshall, Michaele Turnage-Young, and Kelly Gardner,
United States Department of Justice (DOJ); Mary Mudrick, Assistant United States Attorney;
Scott Wolleson, counsel for Dr. Brent Vidrine; and Kayla Dye May, Law Clerk.
Following the hearing, Mr. Wolleson reported that, using an October 14th validation date,
Dr. Vidrine obtained verification from either the principal or assistant principal at each of the
nineteen (19) schools that each teacher roster is correct. The rosters list the self-reported race of
each teacher except for those teachers whose self-reported race differed from the race listed on
their birth certificates. The District used the process testified to by Dr. Phedra Bradley at the
hearing in verifying the race of these teachers. Additionally, Mr. Wolleson pointed out that the
long-term substitutes have been listed if the regularly assigned teacher has been absent for ten (10)
days or more. Dr. Bradley has reviewed the rosters, as will Dr. Vidrine before they are filed.
The District anticipated providing the rosters with the signatures of Dr. Vidrine, Dr.
Bradley, and the respective principal or assistant principal. However, the Department of Justice

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requested that Dr. Vidrine attest as to the accuracy of the rosters. After some discussion, the Court
ordered that either Dr. Vidrine or the principals provide a declaration affirming under penalty of
perjury that the rosters are accurate. Additionally, the District is expected to provide a threshold
or summary report showing its calculations for each school.
Mr. Wolleson and Mr. Lawrence will confer prior to any filings in this matter. The District
must file the rosters, summary pages/threshold reports, declarations of Dr. Vidrine or the
principals (or assistant principals, if applicable), and any birth certificates under seal no later than
October 25, 2016. The rosters must include the following information: each employees name,
race, title, teaching credential(s) (if any), the expiration date of any teaching credential, highest
degree obtained, years of teaching experience (for teachers), years of experience as a school
administrator (for administrators), whether the individual is rated as highly qualified, whether the
individual is a long-term substitute, and the last performance rating received (e.g., Highly
Effective, Effective: Proficient, Effective: Emerging, or Ineffective).
The DOJ will file its response in writing and under seal, if necessary, to the Districts
filings no later than November 14, 2016.
Ms. Turnage-Young also raised issues regarding the medical magnet program, the effect of
the Districts delayed compliance with the consent decree, and the possibility of appointing a
special master. After some discussion, the Court asked the parties to confer on these issues prior
to the next conference. If they are unable to agree, the DOJ can file a motion to modify the
consent decree.
The Court and counsel discussed the on-going requests for information by the DOJ and the
consultants. At this point, the Court asked that the parties work solely on the information
discussed in the conference, rather than on any other information requests.
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Finally, after further discussion, the Court set a telephone status conference for November
17, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. Only attorneys will participate in this conference.
The conference concluded at 2:25 p.m.
RGJ