Case: Adams v. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

3:23-cv-00265 | U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska

Filed Date: Nov. 17, 2023

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On November 17, 2023, six students attending school in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, by and through their parents, brought this lawsuit against their school district in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. Represented by the ACLU of Alaska, Plaintiffs alleged that on April 21, 2023, the school board ordered the Matanuska-Susitna Brough School District to remove 56 books from all its school libraries because those books contained ideas or concepts that the board or some members of the public did not like. The removed books include classics and award winners, books discussing health, and books centering LGBTQ+ protagonists and protagonists of color. By removing these books from school libraries, Plaintiffs argued that the defendant violated the students’ First Amendment right to receive ideas and information. Plaintiffs asked that the court grant declaratory relief, nominal damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and temporary and permanent injunctive relief requiring the defendant to return the 56 books to school shelves and enjoining defendant from violating students’ right to receive information in the future. This case was assigned to Judge Sharon L. Gleason.

The district filed its answer to Plaintiffs’ complaint on December 18, 2023.

On January 2, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction asking the court to (1) direct the district to immediately return the 56 books to school shelves, and (2) enjoin the district from removing any more books from school shelves while the case proceeded.

The district filed its opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion on January 23, 2024. The defendant argued that Plaintiffs erred in calling the removal of the 56 books “banning.” Instead, the district contended that when community members came to the district with concerns about the 56 books, the district temporarily removed the books from shelving in order to conduct a review of the books to determine whether they were “criminally indecent” in nature. The district argued that because the First Amendment does not prohibit the temporary removal of books from school shelves to review them for criminally indecent content, Plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed on the merits of the case, and the court should therefore deny Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction.

In their March 8, 2024 reply to the district’s opposition, Plaintiffs contended that characterizing the removal of the 56 books as “temporary” was erroneous. In the ten months since the 56 books were removed, none of the books had been returned to the shelves, and at least four additional books had been removed for review. Furthermore, the district had only reviewed 19 out of the 56 books, and of those, five remained banned, twelve remained banned from all middle school libraries, and only one was recommended to be reshelved (but had not been). Plaintiffs additionally contended that the district intentionally stacked the members of the committee reviewing the books with people whose ideological and political beliefs made them more likely to recommend the books removed permanently. Finally, Plaintiffs asserted that there was no timeframe for the district to decide whether to return any of the books.

Following further motion practice, the court held oral argument on Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction on April 1, 2024. The motion for preliminary injunction is pending before the district court as of April 5, 2024.

Summary Authors

Sarah Portwood (4/5/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68019089/parties/adams-v-matanuska-susitna-borough-school-district/

Judge(s)

Gleason, Sharon Louise (Alaska)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Botstein, Ruth (Alaska)

Davis, James J. (Alaska)

Fletcher, Savannah (Alaska)

Palmer, Aneliese K. (Alaska)

Attorney for Defendant

Judge(s)

Gleason, Sharon Louise (Alaska)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Botstein, Ruth (Alaska)

Davis, James J. (Alaska)

Fletcher, Savannah (Alaska)

Palmer, Aneliese K. (Alaska)

Attorney for Defendant

Ptacin, John M (Alaska)

Sedor, John M. (Alaska)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 3:23-cv-00265	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Nominal Damages	Nov. 17, 2023	Nov. 17, 2023 Complaint
35 3:23-cv-00265	Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction	Aug. 6, 2024	Aug. 6, 2024 Order/Opinion

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Dawn Adams, et. al v. Mat-Su Borough School District	Today, the Northern Justice Project, LLC, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the Mat-Su Borough School District (MSBSD) for the removal of 56 books from s…	Nov. 17, 2023	Nov. 17, 2023 https://www.acluak.org/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68019089/adams-v-matanuska-susitna-borough-school-district/

Last updated March 28, 2026, 5:38 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Nov. 17, 2023	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number AAKDC-3527050.), filed by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet & Attachment)(Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 11/17/2023) 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet & Attachment View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Nov. 20, 2023	HRH TEXT ORDER REASSIGNING CASE: Pursuant to the system of random case assignments, this action is administratively reassigned to the Honorable Sharon L. Gleason for all further proceedings. Please use the following case number on all future filings: 3:23-cv-00265-SLG. (JDS, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 11/20/2023)	RECAP
3	Nov. 20, 2023	Unissued summons re Defendant Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, (LMH, COURT STAFF, ) (Entered: 11/20/2023)	RECAP
	Nov. 20, 2023	Order Reassigning Case
	Nov. 20, 2023	1 - Summons Issued
	Nov. 20, 2023	Summons Issued as to Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (LMH, COURT STAFF, )
4	Nov. 28, 2023	Civil Cover Sheet. (Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 11/28/2023)	RECAP
5	Dec. 12, 2023	NOTICE of Appearance by John M Ptacin on behalf of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (Ptacin, John) (Entered: 12/12/2023)	RECAP
6	Dec. 12, 2023	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley (Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 12/12/2023)	RECAP
7	Dec. 18, 2023	ANSWER to 1 Complaint by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.(Ptacin, John) (Entered: 12/18/2023)	RECAP
8	Dec. 22, 2023	ORDER RE INITIAL SCHEDULING & PLANNING CONFERENCE REPORT: Counsel for plaintiff shall serve and file the Rule 26 Meeting Report within 21 days of service of this order. Signed by Judge Sharon L. Gleason on 12/22/2023. (JDS, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 12/22/2023)	RECAP
9	Dec. 28, 2023	NOTICE of Appearance by Aneliese K. Palmer on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Palmer, Aneliese) (Entered: 12/28/2023)	RECAP
10	Jan. 2, 2024	First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction)(Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 01/02/2024) 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Preliminary Injunction View on PACER 2 Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction View on RECAP	RECAP
11	Jan. 10, 2024	STATUS REPORT Case Scheduling & Planning by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley. (Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 01/10/2024)	RECAP
12	Jan. 11, 2024	SCHEDULING AND PLANNING ORDER: Discovery due by 11/15/2024, Dispositive Motions due by 10/21/2024. (See PDF for details) Signed by Judge Sharon L. Gleason on 1/11/24. (RMC, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 01/11/2024)	RECAP
13	Jan. 12, 2024	TRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER: Final Pretrial Conference set for 3/25/2025 at 2:00 PM in Anchorage Courtroom 2 before Sharon L. Gleason. Trial by Court set for 4/7/2025 at 8:30 AM in Anchorage Courtroom 2 before Sharon L. Gleason. (See PDF for details.) Signed by Judge Sharon L. Gleason on 1/12/2024. (JDS, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 01/12/2024)	RECAP
14	Jan. 17, 2024	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 10 First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.(Ptacin, John) (Entered: 01/17/2024)	RECAP
15	Jan. 19, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The Non-opposed Motion to Extend Deadline to Oppose Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction at Docket 14 is GRANTED. The deadline for the response is extended to January 23, 2024. (CFR, CHAMBERS STAFF) (Entered: 01/19/2024)	RECAP
	Jan. 19, 2024	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
16	Jan. 23, 2024	RESPONSE in Opposition re 10 First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit of Justin Ainsworth, # 2 Affidavit Affidavit of Kathy McCollum, # 3 Exhibit Mat-Su Borough Location Map, # 4 Exhibit Responsibilities of the Board, # 5 Exhibit Library/Media Centers, # 6 Exhibit Citizen Advisory Committees, # 7 Exhibit Public Complaints Concerning Instructional Material, # 8 Exhibit Rubric)(Ptacin, John) (Entered: 01/23/2024) 1 Affidavit Affidavit of Justin Ainsworth View on PACER 2 Affidavit Affidavit of Kathy McCollum View on PACER 3 Exhibit Mat-Su Borough Location Map View on PACER 4 Exhibit Responsibilities of the Board View on PACER 5 Exhibit Library/Media Centers View on PACER 6 Exhibit Citizen Advisory Committees View on PACER 7 Exhibit Public Complaints Concerning Instructional Material View on PACER 8 Exhibit Rubric View on PACER	RECAP
17	Jan. 30, 2024	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 10 First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Unopposed by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley.(Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
18	Feb. 2, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The Non-opposed Motion to Extend Deadline for Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction at Docket 17 is GRANTED. The deadline for the reply is extended to February 6, 2024. (JDS, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 02/02/2024)	RECAP
	Feb. 2, 2024	Order AND Set Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings AND ~Util - Terminate Motions
19	Feb. 6, 2024	REPLY to Response to Motion re 10 First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Counsel, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3)(Palmer, Aneliese) (Entered: 02/06/2024) 1 Declaration of Counsel View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 2 View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 3 View on RECAP	RECAP
20	Feb. 8, 2024	First MOTION for Hearing re 10 First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Oral Argument by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley.(Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 02/08/2024)	RECAP
21	Feb. 15, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The Request for Oral Argument at Docket 20 is GRANTED. Oral argument is scheduled for April 1, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in Anchorage Courtroom 2. Each side shall be accorded up to 20 minutes to present its arguments. (RMC, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 02/15/2024)	RECAP
	Feb. 15, 2024	Order AND Set Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings AND ~Util - Terminate Motions
22	March 4, 2024	MOTION for Leave to File Surreply and Supplement by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit of John Ptacin, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit 1 to Motion, # 3 Supplement Surreply to Plaintiff's Motin for Preliminary Injunction, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit 1 to Surreply, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit 2 to Surreply, # 6 Proposed Order Proposed Order re Leave to Amend Surreply)(Ptacin, John) (Entered: 03/04/2024) 1 Affidavit Affidavit of John Ptacin View on RECAP 2 Exhibit Exhibit 1 to Motion View on RECAP 3 Supplement Surreply to Plaintiff's Motin for Preliminary Injunction View on RECAP 4 Exhibit Exhibit 1 to Surreply View on PACER 5 Exhibit Exhibit 2 to Surreply View on PACER 6 Proposed Order Proposed Order re Leave to Amend Surreply View on PACER	RECAP
23	March 8, 2024	First MOTION for Leave to File Factual Supplement by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit School Board Motion 2024.02.21)(Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 03/08/2024) 2 View on RECAP	RECAP
24	March 8, 2024	RESPONSE in Opposition re 22 MOTION for Leave to File Surreply and Supplement filed by Dawn Adams, Scott Adams, Gannon Clarkson, Jessica Clarkson, Mitchell Clarkson, Uriah Clarkson, A. Robert Heasley, Joy Heasley. (Fletcher, Savannah) (Entered: 03/08/2024)	RECAP
25	March 26, 2024	ORDER granting 23 Motion to Supplement. Record is supplemented with the document at dkt 23-2. Signed by Judge Sharon L. Gleason on 3/26/24. (RMC, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 03/26/2024)	RECAP
26	March 26, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The public may listen to oral argument on April 1, 2024, by dialing 571-353-2301 and using Call ID 275666327. (CFR, CHAMBERS STAFF) (Entered: 03/26/2024)	RECAP
	March 26, 2024	Order
27	April 1, 2024	MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Sharon L. Gleason: Hearing on 10 Motion for Preliminary Injunction held 3:05 p.m. to 3:54 p.m. on 4/1/2024. Court and counsel heard re 22 Motion for Leave to File Surreply and Supplement; GRANTED as to the table but not as to the letter from Laura Richardson. Court and counsel heard re 10 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Oral arguments heard. Matter taken UNDER ADVISEMENT; written ruling to issue. APPEARANCES: Savannah Fletcher and James Davis for Plaintiffs; John M. Sedor and John M. Ptacin for Defendant; Sonja L. Reeves, Official Court Reporter. (RMC, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 04/02/2024)	RECAP
	April 2, 2024	Motion Hearing AND ~Util - Terminate Motions
28	May 1, 2024	Witness List by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (Ptacin, John) (Entered: 05/01/2024)	RECAP
29	May 29, 2024	MOTION for Discovery by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1, # 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Unopposed Motion for Status Conference)(Ptacin, John) (Entered: 05/29/2024) 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1 View on PACER 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Unopposed Motion for Status Conference View on PACER	RECAP
30	May 30, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The Unopposed Motion for Status Conference at Docket 29 is GRANTED. A Status Conference is scheduled for June 7, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Anchorage Courtroom 2. (CFR, CHAMBERS STAFF) (Entered: 05/30/2024)	RECAP
31	May 30, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The public may listen to the status conference on June 7, 2024, by dialing 571-353-2301 and using Call ID 275666327. (JDS, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 05/30/2024)	RECAP
	May 30, 2024	Order AND ~Util - Set Hearings AND ~Util - Terminate Motions
	May 30, 2024	Order
32	June 6, 2024	MOTION to Produce Factual Materials by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Assistant Superintendent Justin Ainsworth, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 4 Proposed Order)(Ptacin, John) (Entered: 06/06/2024) 1 Affidavit Assistant Superintendent Justin Ainsworth View on PACER 2 Exhibit Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Exhibit Exhibit B View on PACER 4 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
33	June 7, 2024	MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Sharon L. Gleason: Status Conference held 1:43 PM to 1:53 PM on 6/7/2024. Court and counsel heard re depositions of school-aged plaintiffs. Arguments heard. Court will allow depositions of school-aged plaintiffs not to exceed one hour per youth. Parents are permitted to attend depositions. APPEARANCES: James J. Davis, Jr. for Plaintiffs; John M. Ptacin for Defendant; Stacy M. Baldwin, Official Court Reporter. (JDS, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 06/07/2024)	RECAP
	June 7, 2024	Status Conference
34	July 19, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: Defendant's Motion to Supplement Factual Materials at Docket 32 is GRANTED. The record is supplemented with the Affidavit (inclusive of attachments) of Justin Ainsworth dated June 6, 2024. (HJR, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 07/19/2024)	RECAP
	July 19, 2024	Order on Motion to Produce
41	Nov. 1, 2024	SLG TEXT ORDER: The Court has reviewed and GRANTS the Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice at Docket 40 . This case is DISMISSED with prejudice. Each party shall bear its own costs and fees. The Final Pretrial Conference on March 25, 2025, the Trial by Court on April 7, 2025, and all pending deadlines are VACATED. (SCD, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 11/01/2024)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Alaska

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 17, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Six students attending school in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, by and through their parents

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU National (all projects)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

School District

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Distric

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Alaska 3:23-cv-00265

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Amount Defendant Pays: $89,000

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

School/University policies

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Treatment

Discrimination Basis:

LGBTQ+:

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Adams v. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/45357/ (last updated 4/5/2024).