Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Discrimination Lawsuit Against Minneapolis Public Schools

CBS Minnesota

August 12, 2026

A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division against Minneapolis Public Schools that alleged the district violated Title VII by discriminating against teachers based on their race, gender and national origin, court records show.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in December, claiming that teachers of color and "underrepresented" teachers get preferential treatment in employment decisions due to a provision in the collective bargaining agreement between the teachers' union and the district.

According to the lawsuit, those who fall under the "underrepresented" category are exempt from seniority order and layoffs. A third party that contracted with the collective bargaining agreement, Black Men Teach Fellows, was also given priority, per the complaint.

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