The Cobb County School District is pleased that United States District Court Judge Eleanor Ross found the Plaintiff’s lawsuit, in a case headlined by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), failed to state a plausible legal claim against the District.

The case was brought by Ms. Karen Finn, a Cobb County parent; Dr. Jillian Ford, a local college professor; Hylah Daly and Jenne Dulcio, two recent high school graduates, all of whom are represented by the political activist group SPLC’s attorneys.

The suit is an unfortunate extension of efforts by political activists and organizations to exert influence in Cobb County’s schools. Plaintiffs in the case alleged the Cobb County School District and members of its Board of Education were motivated by an intent to racially discriminate against Cobb County residents when approving election maps drawn by an independent law firm.

The Plaintiffs also alleged the District and Board Members had a history of racially-discriminatory conduct toward African-American students, parents, and citizens.

In ruling for the District and Board Members, Judge Ross found the Plaintiffs offered nothing to support their allegations of discrimination beyond “labels and conclusions.”

While the Court’s opinion frees the District and its Board members from baseless accusations of racial discrimination, the District continues to be concerned that Cobb County Board of Elections, a politically appointed body, chose not to join the District in asking Judge Ross to rule in its favor and conclude the lawsuit.

Regardless, the Cobb County School District will maintain its commitment to focusing on nationally recognized teaching and learning and resisting attempts to introduce disruptive partisan politics and activism into classrooms across Cobb.