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)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

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 1033085

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 March 27, 2025, 8:28 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 April 18, 2001

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

PACER
2 April 18, 2001

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)

PACER
3 April 18, 2001

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

PACER
4 April 18, 2001

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)

PACER
April 18, 2001

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

PACER
5 April 19, 2001

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)

PACER
7 April 19, 2001

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)

PACER
8 April 24, 2001

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

PACER
9 May 14, 2001

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)

PACER
10 May 14, 2001

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)

PACER
11 May 17, 2001

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

PACER
12 May 17, 2001

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

PACER
13 May 18, 2001

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)

PACER
14 June 18, 2001

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)

PACER
15 June 26, 2001

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)

PACER
16 June 26, 2001

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)

PACER
17 July 17, 2001

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)

PACER
18 July 17, 2001

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)

PACER
19 Aug. 6, 2001

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)

PACER
20 Aug. 13, 2001

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)

PACER
21 Aug. 13, 2001

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)

PACER
23 Aug. 29, 2001

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)

PACER
24 Sept. 10, 2001

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)

PACER
25 Sept. 27, 2001

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)

PACER
26 Oct. 1, 2001

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)

PACER
27 Oct. 17, 2001

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)

PACER
28 Oct. 18, 2001

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)

PACER
29 Nov. 28, 2001

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)

PACER
30 Nov. 30, 2001

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)

PACER
31 Feb. 22, 2002

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

PACER
32 Feb. 26, 2002

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)

PACER
33 May 21, 2002

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)

PACER
34 Aug. 8, 2002

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)

PACER
35 Aug. 9, 2002

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

PACER
37 Aug. 26, 2002

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

PACER
38 Aug. 26, 2002

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

PACER
39 Sept. 11, 2002

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)

PACER
40 Sept. 11, 2002

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)

PACER
41 Sept. 11, 2002

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

PACER
42 Sept. 17, 2002

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

PACER
43 Sept. 17, 2002

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)

PACER
44 Oct. 17, 2002

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)

PACER
45 Oct. 18, 2002

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)

PACER
46 Nov. 20, 2002

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)

PACER
47 Nov. 20, 2002

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)

PACER
48 Dec. 24, 2002

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)

PACER
49 Jan. 7, 2003

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)

PACER
50 Jan. 16, 2003

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

PACER
51 Jan. 22, 2003

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.

PACER

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

School District

Midlothian Independent School District

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

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

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Texas 3:01-cv-00746

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Conditional Dismissal

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Recordkeeping

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Sports

Discrimination Basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Recommended Citation